Zhan slowly returned to bed and fell asleep within five minutes. At dawn, he heard them leaving with Roulan. He got up and went to the bathroom. While sitting on a chair, he heard them return. Yibo opened his bedroom door, and they both came in.
Zhan gave them one look and turned away. Yibo sat on the edge of the bed. Roulan went to Zhan and sit in front of him. "Momy, how did you sleep?"
Zhan looked at him. "How was your night?"
Roulan smiled. "It was cool, Momy."
Zhan said nothing but stole a glance at Yibo. Their eyes met. Yibo smiled gently. "Good morning, Meilin."
Zhan lower his head and said nothing. Yibo stood and headed to the door. Roulan quickly followed behind him. Zhan watched them until they left. He sat for more than twenty minutes until the day fully broke, then stood up.
Aware that he had done nothing in the house the previous day, he went downstairs, swept and wiped everywhere. He even went into the kitchen to clean and arrange things. As he was trying to light the incense burner, the doorbell rang. He stood up, looked at the door, quickly went upstairs to get his shirt, and returned to open the door.
Baby stood there with breakfast. Zhan tilted his head. "Please, from now on, don't bring food again. I will cook so we don't trouble Mumy..."
Baby winked and then laughed. "You will only cook what you will eat, since I know you won't cook for my brother. Your son, I know you will give him. As for his father, he doesn't even get a share."
Zhan pouted and stepped aside to let her in. She set the food down in the living room. "I hope you woke up well. Today I even see you cleaning the house. What's the secret, Meilin?" She smiled with a teasing edge as she finished speaking.
Zhan frowned. "What kind of secret?"
Baby laughed a little. "Oh well, I'll be going. Greet my brother for me." With that, she headed for the door. Zhan watched her until she left, then pouted. He returned to what he was doing, took the breakfast to the dining area, then went upstairs and entered his room. There, he made his bed and wiped things down before going into the bathroom.
He was sitting in front of the mirror after his bath, applying lotion, when the bedroom door opened. He widened his eyes and adjusted the towel around his body. Seeing it was Roulan, he sighed in relief. Roulan came close to him. "Momy, I am hungry."
Zhan said, "What stopped your Daddy from giving you breakfast?"
Roulan opened his hands. "He told me I should come to you so you can give me some."
Zhan continued applying cream to his leg. "What is he doing?"
Roulan reached for the cream to apply it to him, but Zhan shot him a glare. "Are you playing with me?"
Roulan stood up. "Momy, how can I do that?"
Zhan stretched out his toes. "Okay, apply it here." Roulan knelt and began applying the cream. Zhan said, "I asked you, what is your Daddy doing?" Roulan looked at him. "He is lying down."
Zhan was silent. After a moment, Roulan said, "Momy, he told me he is not feeling well."
Zhan acted as if he hadn't heard, then said, "What's wrong with him?"
Roulan said, "I don't know."
Zhan said, "Go to the living room and wait for me to get dressed, then I'll come give you breakfast."
Roulan said, "Okay," and left the room.
Zhan stood up and put on his clothes. The outfit fit him beautifully. He kept it simple, applying lip balm. He looked very beautiful. He sprayed perfume and finally left the room.
He reached the stairs, then stopped. He stood for more than two minutes before reaching Yibo's door. He opened it gently and found Yibo lying down, covered with a duvet up to his head. Zhan lowered his gaze and entered the room as if counting his steps. He stood near the bed, looking at Yibo. Slowly, he knelt close to him and pulled the duvet from his face.
Yibo's eyes were closed.
Zhan reached his hand to Yibo's forehead. In an instant, Yibo opened his eyes. Zhan quickly pulled his hand back and stepped away. He couldn't get up, nor did he want their eyes to meet again. He began fidgeting. Yibo just watched him.
Finally, Zhan looked up and looked at him gently. "Are you sick?"
Yibo sat up. "No... I'm alright."
Zhan was silent, looking at him. Yibo got off the bed and headed to the bathroom. Zhan watched him, knowing he was just putting on a brave face. Zhan stood slowly, headed to the door, and left the room.
He found Roulan in the living room, watching cartoons. Seeing Zhan, Roulan quickly turned off the TV with the remote. Zhan stopped and looked at him. "Who asked you to turn on the TV?"
Roulan was silent, looking at him. Zhan went to the dining area, made him a cup of tea, and set out potatoes, eggs, and boiled vegetables. He also cut some bread into small pieces and placed them beside the plate of potatoes. "Come and sit here, Roulan."
Roulan got up. Zhan pulled out a dining chair for him, and he sat. Zhan placed the food in front of him, then returned to the kitchen, got another cup, and came back to make another tea. He served Irish potatoes and eggs on a plate, took a bowl and poured in pepper soup with offal. He arranged everything on a tray, picked it up, and went upstairs.
He gently pushed open Yibo's door. He saw Yibo sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his head. Hearing the door open, Yibo looked up. Zhan, with his head down, reached close to him, set down the tray without looking at him, stood up, and left the room.
He returned to the dining area where Roulan was, sat on the chair next to him, and made his own tea. He drank slowly until he finished. By then, Roulan had also finished. He stood up pleadingly. "Momy, please, can I turn on the TV?"
Zhan nodded. Roulan turned and went to the sofa. Zhan cleared everything they had used, took them to the kitchen, washed them, and came out. He went upstairs and opened Yibo's bedroom door. He found Yibo covered with the duvet again. He walked over and looked at the breakfast he had left for him.
Not knowing when he sat on the edge of the bed, he pulled off the duvet and looked at Yibo with concern. "Didn't you eat your breakfast? What's wrong with you?"
Seeing that Yibo didn't open his eyes or say anything, Zhan grabbed his hand worriedly. "Talk to me, please."
Yibo opened his eyes and sat up. Zhan picked up the covered cup of tea, opened it, and handed it to him. "Here, drink this, then you'll take your medicine."
Yibo took it. Zhan reached for the plate of Irish potatoes, but Yibo stopped him. "No, I will take this first." He spoke with difficulty.
Zhan looked up at him. Yibo brought the tea to his mouth like someone about to take medicine. He took a small sip and pulled it away from his lips. Zhan said, "Is it hot?" Yibo shook his head and handed it back to him.
Zhan frowned. "What am I supposed to do with it?" Yibo was about to set it down, but Zhan quickly said, "Don't set it down. You better force yourself to drink it..."
Yibo didn't listen. He set it down, stood up, and quickly headed to the bathroom. Zhan stood slowly and followed him with his gaze. He stood there, but didn't hear him vomiting as he had expected. He followed behind him. Leaning against the door, he watched Yibo until he finished and washed up.
Yibo turned to leave the bathroom, and Zhan held him gently. "Let me make you some water so you can bathe."
Yibo nodded. "Finish first." Then he left.
Zhan made him some water and came out. He found Yibo had covered himself again. He pulled off the duvet worriedly. "Take your bath so we can go to the hospital."
With difficulty, he got Yibo to sit up. Zhan watched him until he stood. Yibo got off the bed, removed his sleeve, and handed it to Zhan, who took it and set it aside. Then Yibo went into the bathroom. Only then did Zhan leave the room.
He sat on the edge of his own bed, confused. After about thirty minutes, he stood and returned to Yibo's room. Just then, Yibo came out of the bathroom, wearing only a towel. Zhan quickly turned away as if looking for something, then left the room. He pouted, went downstairs, and found Roulan watching TV. He sat down next to him.
Hearing Yibo coming down the stairs, Zhan looked in that direction. Yibo was wearing light clothing and holding his car keys. He reached the living room. Zhan stood and looked at him. "Where are you going?"
Yibo didn't say anything. He headed for the door. Zhan reached him and frowned. "I said, where are you going?"
Yibo refused to look at him. "To get drugs."
Zhan snatched the keys from his hand. "Let me do the driving." Then he headed for the stairs. Yibo watched him from the corner of his eye. Zhan got a fitted shirt from the room and put it around his body. Yibo kept watching him.
Seeing Zhan head for the door, Yibo said, "Meilin!!!"
Zhan turned and looked at him. Yibo pointed at the shirt. "You're going out like that?"
Zhan looked at himself from head to toe, then gave Yibo a look. "So?"
Yibo just looked at him and didn't say anything. Zhan frowned, returned, and pressed the keys back into his hand. "Then you drive the car. Go wherever you want."
He turned back and sat down. Yibo watched him before leaving the living room. Zhan pouted. Hearing Yibo warm up the car, Zhan stood, went upstairs, put on his jacket, and returned to the living room. He turned off the TV and glared at Roulan, whose full attention was on the screen as if his life depended on it.
Roulan stood quickly, looking at Zhan. "Momy, where are you going?"
Zhan didn't answer. He headed for the door. Roulan followed behind him. From a distance, Yibo watched them from inside his car without blinking until they reached him. He looked away.
Zhan frowned. "Move to the other side."
Yibo smiled slightly without looking at him, got out, and moved to the other side. Roulan followed behind him. The boy opened the back seat and got in. Yibo sat in the front seat. Zhan got into the driver's seat. The new guard at the gate opened the gate, and Zhan drove the car out. He drove carefully until they reached the main road.
As if being forced, Zhan said, "Which pharmacy?"
Yibo told him, his eyes on the road.
Yibo said, "Who taught you how to drive?"
Zhan didn't say anything until they reached the pharmacy. Only then did he glance at Yibo briefly. "A good Samaritan taught me."
Yibo didn't even look at him. He opened the door and got out. Zhan watched him. Roulan said, "Momy, Daddy is sick, isn't he?" Zhan didn't answer him.
After about ten minutes, Yibo came out holding a bag of drugs and got into the car. Seeing the route Zhan was taking, he looked at him closely. "Where are you going?"
Without looking at him, Zhan said, "I'm going home to get Roulan's clothes."
"No, let's go home. I will go get them myself. You don't have to go."
Zhan drove slowly. Yibo didn't say anything more to him. Zhan pouted and headed home.
When he finished parking, Yibo opened the door, got out, opened the back seat, and pulled Roulan out. They went inside. Zhan watched them. The living room was empty when he entered. He set down the keys and went to the kitchen. He made a cup of tea, came out, and went upstairs.
He opened Yibo's bedroom door and saw him sitting there, arranging his drugs, while Roulan was making noise at him. He set the tea in front of him and left. He entered his room and lay down.
Zhan didn't know when sleep took him. He just felt a hand on his face and opened his eyes slowly. Instantly, he sat up, moving back, looking at Yibo. "What?"
Yibo said, "You have visitors downstairs."
Zhan opened his eyes slightly. "Who?"
Yibo stood. "They're waiting for you." Then he headed for the door.
He said, "So instead of sending Roulan, you came yourself to touch my face?" Yibo left without turning back or saying anything.
Zhan stood, adjusted his clothes and followed behind him. He stood at the top of the stairs, not blinking. He met eyes with Yunxi, who was twirling his car keys in his hand. He quickly bowed his head and continued into the sitting room, his head down. He felt a deep sense of shame. He sat on a chair without looking at Tieh.
Yunxi said, "Good afternoon, Zhan."
Without looking up, he said, "How are you?"
He smiled slightly. "Fine, how are you?" He didn't answer.
Tieh said, "How is Zhan's doing?" Only then did Zhan look at her. Tieh lowered her eyes gently. Zhan said, "I'm fine."
Yunxi said, "She said I should bring her to greet you..."
Zhan said, "Okay, thank you."
Tieh lowered her voice. "Zhan, I am sorry about what transpired between us recently. Please forgive me."
Zhan smiled slightly. "Ah, it's over."
Yibo returned to the living room, went to the fridge, got drinks, and set them down. Yunxi, who had been watching him, saw how worn out he looked, smiled a little, but said nothing. Yibo smiled, touching his head.
Yunxi said, "Where is Roulan?"
Yibo sat on a chair. "He fell asleep minutes ago."
Yunxi said, "Alright then. I brought the madam. I think we will be on our way now. But before then, I want to talk to you." Yibo stood. "Alright." Together, they left the room.
Tieh came close to Zhan. "Have you truly forgiven, Zhan?"
Zhan was playing with the ring on his finger. "Sure, it's over."
Tieh was silent, imagining what her mother and the others had said. Zhan looked up, and their eyes met. Zhan gave a forced smile and lowered his gaze. They sat in silence in the living room until Yibo returned. He looked at Tieh. "He's waiting for you outside, Madam." She stood, said goodbye to Zhan, also greeted him, and then left.
Zhan stood, pouted, and went upstairs. Yibo watched him from the corner of his eye.
***
At night, Zhan came out of the bathroom and was applying his lotion when Yibo entered the room. He widened her eyes. "No! You can't just come in without..."
Yibo turned off the bedroom light. Zhan widened his eyes, and the rest of his words got stuck. From where he stood, Yibo said, "The drugs you had Roulan give me earlier, where are they?"
Zhan said, "You left first, I was going to bring them to you." He spoke with a bit of anger.
Yibo smiled and walked calmly toward him. Despite the darkness of the room, Zhan could still see him. He kept stepping back in fear. "Yibo, what is this..."
He tried to run, but Yibo held him. Zhan felt his body against him. His body began to tremble. He kept trying to free himself, but Yibo wouldn't let go. Nothing flashed through Zhan memory except the incident from seven years ago.
Yibo closed his eyes, feeling every part of Zhan's body trembling. His voice low, he said, "Tell me what is in your heart about me, Meilin. Tell me what you are thinking of me."
Zhan burst into tears. "I beg you, let me go. You are making me..."
Yibo didn't let him finish. He pressed his lips to his.
He move him to the bed. Zhan pulled his lips away, his body trembling. "No, please, Yibo. I swear, let me go, I don't want this. Do you want my heart to start hurting me again?"
Yibo voice low, he said, "I will cure it."
He covered his mouth, sensing he was about to scream. Roulan's knocking at the bedroom door made him release Zhan quickly. Zhan managed to get off the bed and run to the bathroom, he close door, his body trembling. Yibo stood up, looking at the door. He turned on the bedroom light, then opened the door.
Roulan handed him his phone. "Daddy, Grandma has been calling you for a while."
He took the phone. "Are you done with the game?" Roulan nodded. Yibo locked Zhan's door, held the boy's hand, and they returned to his room. He sat on the edge of the bed and dialed Mumy's number. After she answered, they greeted each other.
She said, "How are Meilin and Roulan?"
"They are fine, Momy."
She said, "Yibo, if it's okay with you, please prepare tomorrow and go to Chongqing to visit Lihua. I hear she's asking for you, and will be discharged in two days. But you should still go there, don't you think?"
"Okay, Mumy."
Mumy said, "I hope there's no problem."
He closed his eyes and opened them-he still hadn't fully recovered. "No problem, Mumy. Here's Roulan, he want tongreet you." He handed the phone to Roulan and went into the bathroom.
Yibo couldn't sleep at all that night; he kept tossing and turning. As for Zhan, sleep barely took him because he was terrified, even though he had locked the bedroom door.
💚💙❤🖤