Hai Kuan fixed his gaze on Zhan, waiting for an answer. Zhan lowered his head and muttered softly, "Gege, I don't understand what you mean."
Hai Kuan arched a brow. "What don't you understand? Am I speaking French?" He gave a small smile. "I asked you to tell me a little about your Yibo Gege…"
Zhan hesitated, then chuckled lightly. "But Gege, you already know him. We all live under the same roof. What more could I possibly tell you about him?"
Hai Kuan's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb with me."
Zhan pouted. "So… do you want his biography?"
Hai Kuan tilted his head, chuckling despite himself. Zhan burst into laughter, which only made Hai Kuan knit his brows at him. Still laughing, Zhan teased, "Well, Yibo Gege was born in the year…"
"Enough," Hai Kuan cut him off. "You think I'm joking with you, Baby?"
Zhan's smile softened into a pleading expression. "Gege, then ask me a proper question. Usually when someone says, 'Tell me about him,' they expect you to start with history. Or are you trying to use lawyer's tricks on me?"
Hai Kuan studied him. "So, what do you know about him besides history?"
Zhan shook his head. "Not just his history. I know his personality too."
Hai Kuan leaned closer. "And what are his personality traits?"
Zhan smiled as the waitress set down their ice creams. He waited until she left before answering, fiddling with his spoon. "Gege, since when do you eat ice cream?"
Without replying, Hai Kuan slid his cup across the table to him.
Zhan's smile widened. "Thank you." He lowered his eyes, then spoke softly. "One of Yibo Gege's best traits is selflessness. He always puts others before himself. He's caring, he worries about everyone's troubles, and he hates arguments. Since I've known myself, he's never scolded me harshly...only advised me gently. It's hard to imagine him ever truly hurting someone's feelings."
Hai Kuan smiled. "So the scolding one me, right?"
Zhan laughed. "When did I say that?"
"Mm, I hear you," Hai Kuan said, watching Zhan digging into his ice cream. "Go on."
Zhan nodded. "Yibo Gege can even deny himself something just to make someone else happy. He isn't stingy. He's honestly so lovely and sweet to be around. As far as I'm concerned, he's flawless. A perfect ten....nothing less."
Hai Kuan raised his brows. "So do you pray to marry someone with all these qualities?"
Zhan nodded eagerly. "Of course."
"Then why not marry him?" Hai Kuan asked, voice calm.
Zhan froze, staring at him in shock, trying to process what he'd just heard. Hai Kuan's eyes stayed locked on his, unblinking. Slowly, Zhan lowered his gaze, confusion swirling in his chest. After a long pause, he whispered, "How could I marry my own brother? That's… weird." He pushed his ice cream away.
Hai Kuan leaned back, still watching him closely. "You think so?"
Zhan raised his head with effort, his face a mix of disbelief and hurt. "Yibo Gege? Why would you even say that, Gege?" He shook his head quickly, almost in panic. "No. That's the last thing I would ever do."
"Why not?" Hai Kuan pressed. "Give me concrete reasons. You're ready to marry your Uncle Dr. Kexing....yet Yibo, who isn't even blood-related, you dismiss outright just because he's your Gege?"
Zhan's shoulders slumped, his mood crashing. Despite the ice cream in front of him and the air conditioner humming, he suddenly felt unbearably hot.
"I'm listening," Hai Kuan prompted.
Zhan only shook his head, eyes drifting to the window. "Gege, it's already evening…"
"Don't dodge it. Give me an answer."
Zhan remained silent.
Finally, he looked at Hai Kuan, his voice trembling. "But Gege, why would you even think of something like this? How on earth? Did you forget what Yibo Gege is to me?"
Hai Kuan leaned forward. "Then remind me."
Zhan scowled faintly. "He's my elder brother. My senior brother, Gege."
"Is he?" Hai Kuan said slowly. "I see. Mama had me first, then him. Lee came after, and finally you… right?"
Zhan's eyes widened, staring at him without blinking. Tears welled up and spilled over. His voice shook. "So… I'm no longer part of the family, right?"
Hai Kuan lowered his head and let out a quiet, hidden sigh. His voice softened as he said,
"It's not like that, Baby. That's not what I mean. You are and will always be part of this family. But the way things are going now, once you marry, you'll be separated from us. You'll be far away. Think of how Mama feels about you, Baby. You're her only youngest son now...she has no one else in her eyes. If you marry and move in with your relatives, we'll barely see you, since we won't even live in the same city. But what if you marry within this household, where you were raised, since it's permitted? Wouldn't that mean we'd be together forever?"
Tears streamed down Zhan's face, his eyes blurred.
Hai Kuan lowered his voice further. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, Baby. You've already said you can't marry Yibo, right? Then what about Lee?"
Still, Zhan said nothing, wiping his tears that refused to stop.
"Fine then," Hai Kuan continued. "Could you marry me? Because if you don't know...or if you pretend not to...apart from Lee, both Yibo and I love you. And not brotherly love. Romantic love. You're much closer and more comfortable with Yibo than with me, and because of that, I can step back."
Zhan's head shot up, staring at him in utter shock, unable to even blink. Before he could recover from the first blow, Hai Kuan struck him again with those words. Overwhelmed, Zhan broke down into sobs.
Hai Kuan grabbed his car keys. "I'll be waiting in the car," he muttered before standing and walking out.
Through his tears, Zhan watched him leave. After several minutes, he forced himself to compose. With trembling hands, he wiped his face, abandoned the untouched ice cream, and slowly followed him outside.
Hai Kuan was sitting in the car when Zhan slipped inside silently, refusing to meet his eyes. Hai Kuan didn't look at him either, and they drove off.
The ride was quiet. Zhan sank deeper into his thoughts, unable to escape them. He had never imagined a day would come when someone so close would say such words to him. He had never expected it, never saw it coming. To him, the whole idea felt like a heavy taboo.
How could he possibly live under one roof with Yibo Gege...or even Hai Kuan...as his husband? Where had that ever happened? The thought itself was absurd. And truthfully, it was Yibo's name that struck him harder. These were people he had looked up to as older brothers of blood since childhood.
He shook his head in disbelief, his heart screaming against it.
When Hai Kuan finally parked, he said simply, "See you later."
Only then did Zhan force himself to turn and face him. With a weak, trembling voice, he asked, "But Gege, why would you even let such a thought cross your mind? Do you not see me as your little brother of blood anymore?"
Hai Kuan's expression was unreadable. "If that's the case, then shouldn't Dr. Kexing also be off-limits to you? Do you even realize the relationship between you two? Dr. Kexing is your uncle.....your father's cousin."
Zhan stared at him, voice unsteady. "But… our marriage wouldn't be forbidden. I don't see the problem."
Hai Kuan's lips curved bitterly. "Oh, so that one is fine, but marrying Yibo suddenly becomes forbidden? Look, don't mind me. I only brought myself into the picture because you outright said you couldn't marry Yibo. Otherwise, I would never have spoken about myself. Our mother's happiness should be our priority. I don't even know if you still truly see Yibo as your Gege because of how close you two are. But between you and me, I know we don't share the same bond you share with him...that's why I suggested myself. Not because I wanted to push myself into your heart."
He paused, then spoke more heavily.
"Yibo has been through a lot, just like you. He deserves peace and happiness now. He's still not himself, even today, after everything that happened. He's always forcing a smile. I'd love to see him truly happy again. But in the end, Baby… you must do what feels right for you."
Zhan just kept staring at him, tears streaming down his face. Why was Hai Kuan-ge saying all this so casually, as though it were nothing? How could he even suggest marrying Yibo so comfortably?
Hai Kuan said, "I need to go now, I'm running late."
Slowly, Zhan opened the car door, stepped out, and locked it. He watched as Hai Kuan opened the trunk.
"Your box," Hai Kuan said, before lifting out Zhan's suitcase and setting it in front of him. Zhan just watched silently. After placing the box down, Hai Kuan walked back, got into his car, and drove away. Zhan followed his figure with teary eyes, struggling to compose himself. He finally wiped his face and dragged his luggage toward the house gate.
The CEO was thrilled that Qiren had allowed Zhan to come to the house. She hadn't even been told he was arriving. Zhan forced a small smile as he followed her upstairs to the section where his mother stayed. They found her sitting in her room....it was already past four o'clock. Aaria kept staring at him, clearly not expecting to see him there. The CEO quietly slipped out of the room.
Zhan walked slowly toward his mother and sat down near her, smiling softly. "Good afternoon."
Aaria lowered her gaze, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes. Zhan's chest tightened. He bowed his head too, but after a moment, he gathered courage and looked up again. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
She lifted her head immediately, smiling through tears. "I am…" Then she pulled him into her arms. Zhan closed his eyes, finally feeling some relief from the heavy weight in his heart. They stayed like that for more than five minutes.
Quietly, Aaria asked, "How is your mom and everyone else?"
Zhan looked at her, still smiling. "They're all fine. They send their greetings."
"I accept them," she replied.
Zhan lowered his gaze. "I need to use the bathroom."
She pointed toward it, and he stood up, slipped off his jacket, and went inside. She watched him the whole time, not even blinking. When he came back out, she had already left the carpeted floor and returned to sit on the couch.
Zhan felt himself relax again in his mother's presence. Within a few hours, it was as though they had picked up from where they left off. He even asked her what she wanted to eat. After she told him, he went downstairs where the house staff directed him to the main kitchen. Meanwhile, the CEO was in her study.
By six o'clock, Zhan had prepared the meal and brought it up for his mother. He returned downstairs, cut some fruit, and carried it up to her as well.
Aaria smiled at him and asked, "But you'll eat here with me too, right?"
Zhan laughed softly. "I haven't served Aunt yet. She's still downstairs."
"Oh, okay. I'll wait for you then," Aaria said.
Zhan left, went down to the dining area where the CEO was sitting, and served her the food and fruits before heading back upstairs to eat with his mother.
-----
By half past eight, after his mother had taken her medicine, she lay down to rest. Zhan stayed by her side until she fell asleep, as she never missed her bedtime. Once she was asleep, he left the room and went downstairs to the sitting room where the CEO was waiting. She looked up at him.
"She's asleep, right?" the CEO asked.
Zhan nodded. "Yes, she's asleep."
The CEO said, "Come closer."
Zhan stood up, walked over, and sat near her. She studied him for a moment before speaking.
"About your marriage, dear… maybe it's time you tell me the truth about what's in your heart. I know that ever since the engagement was called off, you might have given up on the idea. So now tell me...are you still interested in that person after everything that happened? And if I'm not mistaken, I once overheard his uncle hinting that there's another matter, something hidden. I'm not sure if I was the only one who heard it in the sitting room that day…"
Just then, the CEO glanced toward the entrance. One of the house staff hurried to open the door. From the moment Shen Yi stepped in, Zhan had been watching him, but quickly lowered his gaze. Shen Yi walked in respectfully and greeted the CEO.
"How are you, Shen Yi? Why are you coming this late?" she asked.
Politely, he replied, "Ma'am, I just arrived not long ago."
The CEO sighed. "Alright. What is it you want to discuss with me?"
He glanced briefly at Zhan. Their eyes met.
"Good evening," Zhan said softly.
"Evening. How are you?" Shen Yi replied.
The CEO gestured to a chair. "Have a seat."
He sat down quietly. Turning to Zhan, she said, "Get him some water."
Zhan stood and went to the kitchen. The CEO removed her glasses and set them aside, while Shen Yi kept his head lowered. After a few minutes, Zhan returned with a tray holding water, juice, and a glass. He placed it gently before Shen Yi and was about to leave when the CEO stopped him.
"We're not finished. Sit back down," she said.
Slowly, Zhan returned to his earlier seat. MD still hadn't raised his head. The CEO leaned back. "I'm listening, Shen Yi."
Only then did he lift his gaze, calm and steady. "Ma'am, I think it might be better if I discuss this with you in the second sitting room."
"Why not here?" she asked, then touched Zhan's shoulder. "Does he look like a stranger? Come on, Shen Yi."
Zhan looked at him again, their eyes meeting for a moment before MD looked away. He spoke quietly.
"Ma'am, it's nothing complicated. I only came to inform you that I'm resigning from my position."
Both the CEO and Zhan lifted their heads quickly, staring at him. He didn't look back. Calmly, he continued,
"I'll be returning to Canada to work as a medical doctor."
The CEO's voice softened. "Why, Shen Yi?"
Finally, he raised his head and gave a faint smile. "I'm grateful I had the privilege to serve you and your great hospital. I'll always be thankful. And I would like you to honor Dr. Jing… because it was through him that Zhan first got his chance to work at the hospital. He did everything possible to see Zhan employed, which eventually led to his reunion with his parents and with us, his relatives."
"Shen Yi…" the CEO said slowly.
He looked at her.
"Was this decision influenced by your family? Did they ask you to resign?" she asked.
He shook his head. His voice was low but steady. "Not at all, Ma'am. No one asked me to resign. It's my own decision."
With that, he stood, walked over, and politely handed her his letter of resignation. Zhan could only sit there, staring at him in silence.
The CEO said, "Sit down, Shen Yi."
He turned back to the chair and sat, looking at her. Speaking calmly, she asked, "Tell me...why did you decide to resign?"
He gave a faint smile. "I'll be going back to Canada, Ma'am. You already know I prefer it there."
She shook her head. "There must be something you're not telling me. But anyway, we'll talk about that later. For now, I want to know your brother's position regarding Zhan's marriage. That day when the matter was being discussed, he didn't say a word. And if I'm not mistaken, I heard your uncle mention something hidden beneath it. So what's the situation now?"
MD remained silent. Zhan couldn't stop glancing at him, his chest tight with unease. The CEO pressed, "I'm listening."
Finally, MD lifted his head, looked briefly at Zhan, then turned back to the CEO. "Apparently, they've already paid the bride price for our cousin in Chengdu."
Zhan's heart nearly stopped. He stared at MD without blinking, pulse racing. The CEO's voice was steady as she asked, "And why is that? Why did they make such a decision without another meeting, just as Zhan's father requested?"
MD answered, "Because the signs showed they wouldn't give him Zhan's hand. They had other plans, which only they understand. They said it would be postponed, that they'd 'handle' him differently since they had a different plan for him. Otherwise, he should have spoken for himself that very day. That's why Kexing said he gave up."
Tears instantly welled in Zhan's eyes. He had never imagined Dr. Kexing would say such words. The CEO, still watching Shen Yi, asked, "So he himself said he gave up?"
MD lowered his head and didn't reply. The CEO's gaze lingered on him, sharp and questioning.
Suddenly, Zhan stood and rushed out of the living room, tears streaming down his face. The CEO watched him go, then turned back to MD. Slowly, she said, "Why don't you try your luck, Shen Yi?"
He jerked his head up, staring at her in disbelief.
She nodded. "I'll support you."
He could only stare, stunned, before forcing out, "But… he was my brother's boyfriend, Ma'am."
"So?" the CEO replied coolly. "You just told me he gave up, and they've already gone as far as arranging his bride price. I see nothing wrong. A real man doesn't give up so easily, yet he surrendered at once. Maybe it wasn't meant for him. And what if Zhan was meant for you instead?"
MD was speechless, watching her in shock. She rose. "Let him bring you food. Don't worry, the house staff didn't make it...he cooked it himself. Once you're done, you can go. We'll talk again tomorrow, I have a call to attend to." With that, she left the living room.
MD could only laugh quietly to himself. The very last thing he would ever imagine in this world was dating his brother's ex-boyfriend, let alone marrying him. That morning in Tianjin, he had argued endlessly with Dr. Kexing to stop saying he'd given up on Zhan, but Kexing refused. Their mother even supported him, not wanting her son's heart broken a second time. From the way the CEO had reacted in the living room, and how quickly Lan Yi had backed her up, it was clear they had their own intentions regarding Zhan. That's why the whole family had given up hope that Zhan would ever be married to Kexing. Lost in thought, Shen Yi sat in silence, analyzing everything.
Meanwhile, the CEO walked into the large bedroom where the staff had placed Zhan's luggage. But he wasn't inside. She stepped back out and headed toward her sister's room. Opening the door, she saw him lying beside his mother, who was asleep. She quietly moved to the bedside, watching him.
Zhan didn't dare lift his head to meet her gaze. The CEO motioned for him to get up so as not to disturb his mother. Zhan carefully slid off the bed. She took his hand, leading him out of the room, and after closing the door behind them, she looked at him soothingly.
"What are you crying for? I thought you both gave up on that marriage long ago and moved on with your lives. So why let it hurt you now, just because he said he gave up?"
Zhan lowered his head, struggling not to cry again.
The CEO pulled him into her arms and whispered gently, "Cheer up, dear. Everything happens for a reason. And the excuse he gave wasn't even strong enough to justify giving up."
Zhan stayed quiet.
She lifted his chin. "Now go downstairs and serve Shen Yi the food you cooked."
He nodded. She watched him until he began descending the stairs.
When Zhan entered the living room, he avoided looking in Shen Yi's direction and went straight to the kitchen. In a few minutes, he brought the food to the dining area, placed it before him, and stood there.
MD rose and walked over, eyeing the dishes Zhan had set with plates and cutlery. Then, to Zhan's surprise, he went toward the kitchen, washed another plate, another set of cutlery, and a cup, and brought them back. Sitting down, he uncovered the dishes.
Zhan muttered, "The dishes weren't washed properly before the food was served. Even the pot used for cooking wasn't cleaned well."
Shen Yi looked up at him.
Zhan turned and walked out of the dining area.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛