He lowered his voice gently. "Oh, my Roulan's Momy..."
Zhan pouted, looked away, and wiped his eyes. Yibo turned and looked at Roulan, smiled, and said, "See, he's quiet now. You be quiet too."
Roulan nodded and looked at his mother. Yibo came back close to Zhan. "Momy, please forgive me."
Zhan looked at him, smiled a little, and said, "Okay, I have forgiven you."
Roulan went back and sat down. Yibo started the car and continued driving.
In a low voice, he said, "Let's leave Shao for next time. I really don't have the energy to start consoling you again."
Zhan said, "Take me now, not next time. I will be going back to school soon."
Yibo smiled. "Okay, then."
He took the road to Shao's family house. After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the large house. He parked outside, and they went in. The family members did not welcome them, but that didn't bother Yibo. Zhan's body was cold.
The youngest sibling of Shao's father pointed to a door. "She is in there."
Yibo stood up and looked at Zhan, who also stood. Roulan tried to get up, but Yibo stooped and gently patted his shoulder. "Wait for us here, sweetheart, okay?"
Roulan nodded and sat back down. Yibo headed to the bedroom door. Zhan followed behind him, his heart sinking.
Shao was lying alone in the room, which contained only a thin mattress-no bedsheet, not even a mat. There was no covering on the mattress. The room was empty except for a cup, plate, and spoon beside the bed. Shao was barely more than a skeleton lying on the bed.
Zhan couldn't enter the room. He tried his best not to burst into tears, covering his mouth. Yibo entered and looked at her, also quietly. He knelt close to her. "Hello, Shao."
Instead of answering, she cried. His whole body went cold. He couldn't say anything. For a moment, his eyes also welled up. Zhan burst into heavy crying, turned, and fled the room.
With difficulty, Shao managed to open her mouth. "Tell him to forgive her, please."
Yibo lowered his eyes. "Are you taking your medicine, Shao?"
She shook her head, tears streaming from her eyes. He knelt in front of her for more than two minutes, unable to say anything. Finally, he looked up with difficulty. "Who takes care of you?"
She shook her head again. Gently, he said, "When did you last go to the hospital?"
She just looked at him, unable even to speak. He stood up slowly and left the room. He saw Zhan, who had put his head down on a chair, crying. Roulan was next to him, also crying and looking at him. No one said anything to them. Everyone was busy with their own affairs in the large house.
Yibo went outside to Shao's paternal aunt, the one he knew. She was sitting with about three others, chatting. He stooped slightly and greeted her. She answered, asking when he had arrived. "Not long ago. Ma, when did Shao go to the hospital?"
The woman said, "It's been two days since she went, because her father hasn't sent money. Maybe he is tired too. And he has left us in hardship."
Yibo was silent, looking at her. Then he stood. "Okay, let's me take her now."
She said, "Don't waste your time. She can't even get up. Unless you go and call a doctor from the hospital."
He didn't say anything. He returned to the sitting room, then entered the room where Shao was. He just looked at her, trying to figure out what stage her illness was at. After a while, he turned and left.
He went to Zhan. "Get up, let's go."
Zhan stood up with difficulty, still crying. Yibo picked up Roulan, hugged him, and they left. The bank was just ahead. He looked at Zhan before opening the car door and going to the ATM machine. He returned quickly and got into the car.
They went to a large pharmacy in the area. Seeing that Zhan hadn't stopped crying, he lowered his voice. "I am begging you to stop this crying, Meilin. You are not doing this child any favors. Even for his sake, please be patient and stop crying."
Zhan turned and looked at Roulan, who was also crying bitterly. He swallowed his tears, his heart aching. Yibo opened the car door and got out. After about ten minutes, he returned holding a bag of many expensive medicines. He smiled when he saw how quiet Roulan had become, watching Zhan who was crying his heart out.
Zhan had never imagined seeing Shao in that condition. He felt the world was nothing. Yibo parked at a store, got out, and bought many cartons of healthy energy drinks and milk, as well as Lucozade Boost. The items he bought were loaded into the booth. He got into the car and looked at Zhan, who had leaned back in his seat and fallen into deep thought.
Yibo took Zhan's hand. Zhan turned slowly and looked at him. Yibo smiled at him. "Everyone has their own destiny. This is theirs. So you just have to pray for them. May God fill us with faith."
Fresh tears fell from Zhan's eyes. Yibo started the car, and they left the place.
Yibo alone entered Shao's room and placed the medicines beside her. The children of the house started bringing in the things he had bought. He looked at Shao, took out all the medicines, and began showing her how to take them. She just looked at him and said nothing.
After showing her, he said, "If you feel hungry, make sure you get up and drink this fresh milk. When it's time to take your medicine and no food is available, drink milk and then take the drugs, understand?"
Slowly, she nodded. He took fifty thousand from his pocket and placed it beside the mattress. "Keep sending the children to buy you fruits. Give them two hundred so they will keep going, okay?"
She nodded again. He smiled a little. "May God make it easy, little sister. If you want to get well, you must keep taking your medicine."
She nodded again. He said, "I will keep coming to check on you. When you start feeling better, I will take you to Mumy. Your father said you should be brought here."
She just looked at him. His body went cold seeing the tears falling from her eyes. With difficulty, he said, "I will be back soon." Then he stood and left the room. She followed him with her eyes.
***
They entered Beijing. Both Zhan and Yibo felt cold. Roulan had fallen asleep in the car. Yibo finished parking, turned, and saw Zhan open the door and get out. He also got out, opened the back seat, and carried Roulan out. He closed the car and followed behind him.
He took Roulan into his bedroom and laid him down. Then he left and entered Zhan's room. He found Zhan lying with his face pressed into the pillow. He sat beside him and looked at him. Zhan refused to look at him.
Yibo took Zhan's fingers. "You don't need to worry this much, Meilin. You know your condition."
Zhan burst into tears. Yibo lifted him and embraced him. Zhan laid his head on Yibo's chest, sobbing. In a low voice, Yibo said, "Pray that God gives them health, Meilin."
They remained like that for more than five minutes. Yibo lifted Zhan's head gently and looked at him. Zhan closed his eyes. Yibo smiled, looking at his cute lips. As if knowing what he was about to do, Zhan pulled away, stood up, and went to the far end of the bed and lay down.
Yibo touched his head. "Get up and pray." Then he stood and headed for the door. Zhan followed him with his eyes until he left.
Throughout that day, Zhan could not find peace. Yibo tired himself out trying to console him. Zhan even spoiled little Roulan's mood. In the evening, Yibo returned from out and entered his bedroom just as his phone rang. He went in, picked it up, and saw that Mumy was calling. He sat on the edge of the bed and called her back. When she answered, he greeted her.
Hearing the tone of her voice, he said gently, "Mumy, are you not well?" Then he stood up. "What!?."
He put down the phone, sat back down, and held his head. Tears began to fall from his eyes. He remained like that for more than five minutes before standing with difficulty, wiping his eyes, picking up his car keys, he leave the room.
He stood in the corridor for a while before opening Zhan's door. He saw Zhan sitting on a chair, leaning against the bed. Roulan was sitting next to him. Yibo couldn't fully enter the room; he spoke from the doorway. "Meilin, we are going to Wang's house now."
Zhan looked at him before he could say anything, and Yibo turned and left. Zhan thought they were going to greet Mumy. He stood up, took Roulan's hand, and left after turning off the room light.
Seeing Yibo's demeanor, Zhan looked at him worriedly. "Did something happen?"
Yibo was driving, his eyes on the road. "Nothing."
They arrived at Wang's mansion. He parked and got out. Zhan also got out, holding Roulan's hand, and followed behind him. Zhan's heart sank deeply when he saw people in the living room. Yibo went to Mumy and knelt in front of her. Zhan couldn't go further; his heart was pounding.
He quickly went upstairs to Baby's room. Baby saw him and burst into heavy crying. Summoning courage, Zhan knelt in front of her. "What happened, Baby?"
Baby said, "Shao..."
Tears began to fall from Zhan's eyes as well. He put his head down on the bed and prayed silently in his heart.
That night, everyone stayed at the house. Shao's death shook everyone, especially Zhan and Baby. Whenever Zhan remembered the state they had found her in earlier that day, tears would not stop. She had died without him even getting to speak to her because of the chaos. No one slept in the house until morning.
⏭ ⏭
The next morning, Xixue came to the house with the nanny to offer condolences to Mumy. When Xixue was about to leave, Roulan said he would go with her. Xixue took him because he was also crying. After three days of mourning, Zhan and Yibo returned home at night. The shock had still not left Zhan.
He felt in his heart that he had forgiven Shao, because as far as he knew, she hadn't done anything to him either. He set down the food Mumy had given them to take home in the middle of the living room and went upstairs. Yibo, who had followed him with his gaze, said, "Meilin."
Zhan turned and looked at him.
"Didn't you eat the food?"
Zhan shook his head.
"You haven't eaten anything since earlier."
Zhan didn't say anything; he went upstairs. Yibo went into the kitchen, took a plate, washed it, and returned to the living room. He opened the food, served some for Zhan, covered the rest, and went upstairs. He found Zhan taking off his clothes.
Seeing him, Zhan quickly crouched down as if about to cry. "Don't you know how to knock?"
Yibo smiled a little, lowered his eyes from looking at him, and said, "Sorry."
Zhan pouted. "Set it down and leave."
Yibo set the food down for him without looking at him, turned, and left. Zhan picked up a wrap, tied it, and sat down to the food Yibo had set for him. He picked up the spoon and started eating slowly. He didn't eat much because he still had no appetite. He stood up and went into the bathroom. Only after brushing his teeth did he bathe and come out.
He put on his bathrobe, took the leftover food, left the room, when he returned to his room. He sat for a while in front of the mirror, applying lotion, when Yibo opened the door. Zhan widened his eyes and froze. Yibo quickly stepped back. "Oh, sorry...."
Zhan quickly put on his bathrobe. Seeing that Yibo entered again, he frowned. "I don't like this, Yibo. You don't just enter without permission."
Yibo didn't laugh, though he wanted to. He handed Zhan his phone. "Dr. Luo wants to talk to you."
Zhan glared at him, took the phone, and said, "Then you leave."
Yibo turned and left the room. Zhan put the phone to his ear. He heard Yunxi's voice.
"Uhmm, really? Did he leave the room?"
Zhan smiled, his voice low. "How are you, Doctor?"
Yunxi said, "Fine, Zhan. How is the household?"
"I'm fine. How is Tieh?"
"She's fine. How are you holding up?"
Softly, Zhan said, "We thank God."
"May God have mercy on her."
Zhan said, "Amen, thank you."
Yunxi said, "Good night."
Zhan said, "Alright. My regards to Tieh."
He said, "Ok." Then he hung up.
Zhan set the phone down in front of the mirror, stood up, removed his bathrobe, put on his night clothes, he turned off the room light, and lay down.
Just as sleep began to take him, he heard the bedroom door open. He opened his eyes quickly. He heard Yibo close the door. He didn't turn on the light. Standing where he was, he said gently, "Meilin, my phone?"
Zhan was silent. Yibo stood for more than a minute before turning and leaving, gently closing the door behind him. Only then did Zhan sit up. He sat on the bed for a while before getting up, going to the mirror, he pickYibo's phone and went out. He gently opened Yibo's bedroom door and entered.
He stood there for more than ten seconds, seeing no light in the room. Zhan didn't turn on the light because there was a bit of light from the corridor and Yibo had left the door open. Zhan headed toward the mirror to set down the phone. Suddenly, he heard the bedroom door close, and darkness filled everywhere.
He quickly set down the phone and headed for the door. "Why is that..."
His eyes widened as he saw Yibo coming toward him. He kept stepping back as if about to cry. "What is this, Yibo? Open the door and let me out. I only brought you your mobile phone."
Yibo's voice low, he said, "Why did you pretend you were sleeping?"
Zhan leaned against the wall, his heart pounding. "Is it a crime that I brought you your phone? Then give it to me so I can return it. I thought you needed it."
Yibo smiled slightly. "Better... take it and return with it."
Zhan said, "Then move aside."
Slowly, Yibo moved to the side, his eyes on Zhan. Zhan came forward, his heart sinking, and just as he was about to pass, Yibo pull him into his body and embrace him tightly. Zhan body trembled. "Oh, I'm in trouble, what is..."
Yibo didn't let him finish what he was going to say. Zhan widened his eyes, looking at Yibo's pupils. He was kissing him passionately. Zhan tried to pull away but eventually gave up. His body went completely numb, and he felt he couldn't stand. Before he knew it, after a long while, he found himself on top of the bed.
His body trembled in fear. He shook his head at Yibo, tears falling. "No, Yibo, I still haven't forgotten the experience. It's always fresh. Please, I'm sorry, and..."
He couldn't continue, crying softly. Yibo immediately stopped what he was doing. His body went cold. He brought his lips to Zhan ear and said in a low voice, "And... what?"
Through sobs, he said, "You didn't allow me to be ready."
Yibo moved back slowly, lay down and closed his eyes, he breathed. Zhan covered himself with the duvet, tears refusing to stop, his heart sinking. Je thought Yibo had fallen asleep because a long time passed and he didn't move from where he lay. Slowly, Zhan got up and put on his night clothes.
As he was about to leave, Yibo sat up and pulled him back, embracing him. In a low voice, he said, "I am... sorry, Meilin."
Zhan didn't say anything. He pressed himself against Yibo's body. Yibo could feel his heart pounding. After a while, when Zhan had calmed down, he laid him down gently, got off the bed, and went into the bathroom. Zhan fell asleep before he came out.
At dawn, Zhan felt someone gently stroking his face. He opened his eyes. Yibo smiled at him. "It's time to wake up."
Zhan quickly closed his eyes because Yibo had turned on the room light. He smiled. "Should I turn off the light?"
In a low voice, he said, "Yes, please."
He stood up and turned it off. Only then did Zhan slowly sit up. Yibo watched him in the darkness. Zhan refused to get off the bed. He looked at him. "So, you didn't go to the walking.?"
Yibo said, "I just finished."
Zhan pouted, stood up, and said, "Then I'm not doing my things here."
"Why?"
Zhan didn't answer and headed for the door. Yibo quickly stood and closed it. "Are you going somewhere else?"
As if about to cry, Zhan said, "Please open the door."
"Not until you use my bathroom."
"I won't use it."
"Why?"
Zhan said, "I have my reasons, and it's not necessary."
Yibo smiled. "You don't want me to see you bathe?"
Zhan widened his eyes. "Like what?"
"Like I did yesterday."
Zhan frowned. "Open the door, Yibo."
Uibo said, "Then go to the bathroom and bathe there." He said this while pointing to his bathroom.
Angrily, Zhan said, "You told me to bathe? On what grounds will I bathe?"
Yibo smiled, returned to the bed, lay down, watching him through the darkness. Zhan stood for more than ten minutes pleading with him, but he refused to open the door. Zhan burst into tears and finally knelt down. Yibo stood up laughing, opened the door, and said, "Go and bathe."
Only after Zhan left did he say, "I'm not bathing, I'm swimming." Then he went into him room, locked it, pouted, entered his own bathroom, he bathed and came out.
Zhan sat on a chair until day broke, then stood up slowly, cleaned his room, washed even the bathroom, and went to the living room to clean the house. By about half past eight, he finished and went into the kitchen. He took out some Irish potatoes and started peeling them.
He smelled something coming into the kitchen. He turned slowly and looked at the doorway. Yibo was standing there, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him. Zhan lowered his gaze and continued what he was doing. Yibo came into the kitchen and stood behind him.
His voice low, he said, "Good morning, Meilin."
Zhan didn't say anything, nor did he turn around. He continued peeling the potatoes until he finished, with Yibo standing behind him. Slowly, he turned, and their eyes met. He quickly bowed his head.
Yibo pulled him into his body and looked at him gently. "Forgive me once more for what happened seven years back, Meilin. I made you a mother with children out of wedlock at a very tender age. I know this will always remain in your memory till the end. And I know that whenever you see me, you remember that, just as whenever I see you, I feel deep guilt inside me. I want us to get rid of that, Meilin. I want to have peace with you as my husband. I know I cannot repay you for the hardships you went through because of me, but forget the past, please.
Let's build our new home, Meilin. I promise to love you till the end. I promise to be by your side till the end. I promise to bring light into your life till the end.
I never bargained for this, Meilin. Heaven is my witness, I wanted to brighten your life from within our home. I wanted to do for you everything that would keep you from experiencing the orphanhood of your parents. But we have our destiny, and God has His. Fate precedes desire. And as humans, we have to accept it, whether good or bad. All we have to say now is Thanks heaven. So we both need counseling before anything else, are you ready for that?."
Zhan couldn't lift his head. Tears streamed from him eyes. Slowly, he pulled himself away from Yibo's body and turned his back to him, trying his best not to burst into tears.
Yibo turned slowly and left the kitchen.
Zhan didn't have the strength to finish everything. He poured tea into a flask, then took the breakfast to the dining area and set it down. He found Yibo lying on the three-seater, his eyes closed. He came into the living room and looked at him.
Zhan had never admitted that children resemble their parents one hundred percent until he saw it with his own children. The resemblance was just too obvious. Je reached close to Yibo without realizing it. He knelt beside Yibo, still looking at him gently, and took his hand.
Suddenly, Yibo opened his large eyes and sat up, looking at him. Fresh tears filled Zhan eyes. He lowered his head slowly. "Then why don't they both look like me?"
Yibo looked at helim in surprise. Zhan stood up to leave, but Yibo pulled helim into his body, smiling, his voice low. "The kids?"
Zhan nodded, tears falling from his eyes. Yibo hug him tightly, closed his eyes, and inhaled his scent. "The next ones will look excertly like you, God willing."
Zhan pulled his head away and frowned. "Next what?"
Yibo opened his eyes and laughed. "Next kids, of course."
Zhan glare at him, pouted, he stood up, and headed to the dining area. Yibo followed him with his gaze, laughing quietly. When Zhan reached there, he turned and saw that Yibo was looking at him. Gently, he said, "Breakfast..."
Yibo stood up, smiling, and reached the dining area. With Zhan head down, he said, "Do you still take coffee?"
Yobo looked at him. "Sure..."
Zhan went to the kitchen, and Yibo followed him with his eyes. He returned with coffee powder, made it for him, and set it gently in front of him. Then he served him Irish potatoes and eggs, along with bread.
Yibo winked. "All for me alone, husband?"
Zhan didn't say anything. He made his own tea, sat down, and drank. Slowly, he lifted his head, and their eyes met. Zhan couldn't stop looking at Yibo, just as Yibo's looking at him without blinking.
Yibo stood up and came close to him. In a low voice, he said, "My God, I love you, Meilin."
Zhan lowered his gaze and said nothing.
Two Months Later...
At eleven o'clock, Zhan was in his room when Yibo came in and said he should get ready because they were going out. His mood changed instantly. Yibo laughed because he knew the reason for it. He came close to him and sat beside him.
"I'm not taking you somewhere you'll cry today. It will be for happiness, husband."
Zhan pouted as if about to cry. "I don't want any of it. I'm going nowhere."
Yibo took his hand and lowered his voice. "You will like this, i promise, Roulan's mother. I give you 100% assurance."
Slowly, Zhan said, "So we will pick up Roulan from here?"
As if waiting for the question, Yibo quickly shook his head. "No."
Surprised, Zhan said, "Why?"
Yibo smiled, looking into his eyes, gently stroking his chin. "He won't let me show you how much I love you later. He will be a barrier."
Zham gave him a look. "My son is coming back today. I don't care."
Yibo laughed a little. "Not until I have confirmed my love for you later."
Then he stood and headed for the door. "I am waiting for you downstairs, Meilin, because I know you won't get ready in front of me." As he said this, he turned, looked at him, and winked. Zhan followed him with his eyes until he left.
Yibo sat in the living room, waiting for him. A message came into his phone. He picked it up and opened it, checking the address Dr. Luo had sent him. He put the phone down and leaned back in his chair.
He still couldn't stop being amazed by Zhan. He couldn't believe it. He had never expected Zhan to forgive so quickly, to soften even after Aunt Lihua's words and six weeks counseling. He never expected that from him. He just smiled, thinking that perhaps it was the blessing of their children that made Zhan see something in him. But he would surely teach Zhan to love him, not because of the kids.
Zhan came down the stairs, wearing a long coat down to his feet. He had applied nothing to his face except lip balm, yet he was glowing. He was the definition of true beauty.
Yibo stood up, smiling gently. "You are beautiful, husband."
Zhan lowered his gaze until he reached the living room. Yibo came close to him and stooped, he gently pecked Zhan's lips. Zhan frowned and wiped his mouth. "I don't like that."
Yibo smiled. "Then sorry, I'll stop." Then he took his hand, and they went out.
After they left the house in his car and reached the main road, Zhan looked at him gently. "Where are we going, please, Yibo?"
He looked at him for a few seconds, then looked away. In a low voice, he said, "Don't you feel bad calling my name now, Meilin?"
Zhan frowned. "Then what should I call you?"
He tilted his head. "You should call me something else, even because of Roulan. Though I know I don't deserve it."
Zhan's body went cold as he remembered how he used to call him seven years back. Slowly, he looked at him and saw that he was just driving. He lowered his gaze. "Then I will call you Baby's brother."
Yibo just smiled, didn't say anything, and didn't look at him. After a moment, he said, "Okay, then."
They went more than ten minutes without anyone saying anything. Zhan broke the silence, not because of the quiet in the car-Yibo might not have even heard what he said because it was very low.
"Roulan's Dad or...Yibo-ge."
That's what Zhan said, then he looked away as if he hadn't said it all.
💚💙❤🖤