The next morning, Zhan slowly opened his eyes, awakened by the vibration of his phone. He sat up quickly, realizing it was already morning. He reached for his phone and saw that it was Dr. Kexing calling. The time on the screen read 8:00 a.m., but the call ended before he could answer.
He sat silently, staring out the window, clutching his stomach in discomfort. After about fifteen minutes, he forced himself off the bed and made his way to the bathroom.
Before 9 a.m., Zhan had taken a shower and dressed. He picked up the handout he had been reading the night before and tucked it into his bag. Glancing at the time, he planned to head to campus. He sat briefly at the edge of the bed, contemplating how to get some coffee to take his medication. Seeing time slipping away, he stood and quietly opened the door, stepping into the sitting room.
The house was silent. Zhan walked toward the kitchen but turned back to peek through the sitting room window at the parking space. He then returned to the kitchen, prepared a cup of coffee, and came out again.
Min had heard the sound of the door and had rushed out to the sitting room. Dressed in a short, thigh-length outfit with a damp towel on her head, she locked eyes with Zhan. Although Zhan felt a sudden tightness in his chest, he kept a calm expression. With a polite tone, he said, "Good morning."
Min looked him over with narrowed eyes and said, "Seriously? You think cleaning the house comes after making yourself coffee? Shouldn't that be the first thing you do in the morning? Or didn't you notice the time?"
Zhan gently stirred his coffee with a spoon and responded evenly, "Did Gege not tell you I don't sweep?"
Min blinked, stunned. She hadn't expected that. Still staring at him, Zhan gave a faint shake of his head and added, "I don't do chores like that."
With that, he turned around and walked back to his room, locking the door behind him.
Min stood frozen, mouth slightly open.
What??
She spun around and stormed off toward her room, slamming the door so hard that Yibo jerked awake. Sitting up quickly, he glanced at the clock and asked, "Did you check on him? How's he feeling?"
Yibo had returned from his morning jog earlier intending to check on Zhan, but Min had distracted him and he ended up falling asleep. Now that he was awake again, he didn't wait for her reply. He jumped out of bed, grabbing his clothes.
Min shot him a glare and snapped,
"Who are you calling 'Baby'? That boy just disrespected me....he practically yelled at me!"
Yibo turned to her, frowning.
"Disrespected you?"
"Absolutely! I only asked him to help with a bit of tidying so I could make breakfast, and he looked at me like I insulted his entire family. Said he doesn't do chores like that. You never told me he doesn't clean. He stormed off like I was nothing. You said we should all live peacefully, so I even put down my pride and asked nicely!"
As he finished dressing, Yibo said,
"Yeah, he's asthmatic. He doesn't sweep or do any physical task that might trigger it. If you want help with cleaning, you'll need to hire someone."
With that, he walked out. Min stared after him in shock.
Yibo entered Zhan's room and found him sitting at the edge of the bed, sipping his coffee. He quietly locked the door and approached.
Zhan glanced at him once, then continued sipping his drink.
Yibo sat beside him.
"How are you feeling? Did you sleep at all?"
Zhan didn't look at him. "Yeah."
Yibo stayed quiet for a moment. From his tone, he could tell Zhan was upset....something even Lan Yi wouldn't have picked up on as quickly. The way Zhan had responded made it clear.
Yibo scratched his head and said softly,
"I came by last night, but you were asleep."
Zhan ignored him and took another sip.
Yibo sighed, then murmured,
"I'm sorry, Baby..."
Zhan's face crumpled, his voice barely holding together.
"You know I can't sleep when I'm like that, but still..."
His words dissolved into quiet sobs.
Yibo immediately moved closer, apologizing repeatedly.
"I'm really sorry, Baby. I've been oversleeping lately, work has been overwhelming. Even today....I just realized morning had passed."
Zhan said nothing, wiping at his face.
Trying to make it up to him, Yibo said,
"Didn't you see the bread on the dining table? Hold on, I'll bring it."
He left and quickly returned with bread, butter, and a knife. Zhan had finished his coffee and set the cup aside.
Yibo glanced at the empty mug and asked gently, "You didn't want bread? You drank all the coffee instead?"
Briefly, Zhan said, "Yes."
Then he stood, reached for his jacket, and slipped it on. Surprised, Yibo asked,
"Where are you going?"
Zhan slung his backpack over one shoulder and replied,
"School."
Yibo asked, "Will you be able to manage in your condition?"
Zhan shrugged. "I survived the night with cramps, I'll survive school too."
Yibo scratched his head in silence... clearly, his baby brother was still upset with him. After a beat, he offered,
"Alright, let me get ready. I'll drop you off at school."
Zhan replied, "I'd rather take a taxi. I'm already late."
"I promise I won't take long," Yibo said, but Zhan had already sat back down on the bed.
Yibo left the room, and Zhan watched him go. Back in their bedroom, Yibo found Min lying on the bed, quietly sniffling. Just as he was about to enter the bathroom, he paused and looked at her.
"You're crying because Zhan didn't sweep?"
Min sat up abruptly, angry.
"He disrespected me! Do you want me to think you brought me back here just so you and your little brother could make me feel worthless in this house? I gave him six good years but he treated me like garbage! All I asked was for him to sweep a little and he basically called me trash!"
Yibo shook his head.
"That's not true, Min. The last thing Zhan would ever do is disrespect you. I know him too well. If he told you he doesn't sweep, I'm sure he said it politely. Don't create a story around it...I know my Baby."
With that, he stepped into the bathroom and locked the door. Min let out a bitter laugh, her feet tapping restlessly on the floor as her anger simmered. Then she scoffed, stood up, and left for the sitting room.
Because of Zhan, Yibo didn't take long to get dressed. He returned to the sitting room. One glance at Min, and he headed to the kitchen.
She followed him in and, seeing him pouring hot water into a cup, asked softly, "Are you going to work today dear?"
"I told you I'm resuming today," he replied.
Her face lit up, genuinely happy to hear that...but she pouted a little and said,
"Couldn't they at least give you a week? Only four days after the wedding and they're asking you to return to work? Why not just take a two-week leave?"
He didn't respond, focused on preparing his tea. She pouted dramatically.
"I didn't even make you breakfast. Honestly, I thought you were joking about work yesterday."
"No offense taken. You can make something tomorrow," he replied.
Smiling, she hugged him from behind.
"Alright, sweetheart. But tell me....what should I make for dinner?"
"Anything," he said.
"Got it, dear."
They left the kitchen together. In the sitting room, Yibo sat and sipped his tea. She stayed by his side until he said,
"Can you bring me my car keys?"
She got up and went to their bedroom. Just as she entered, her phone began to ring....Shu was calling. She checked the door to ensure it was shut before answering quickly.
"He's just about to leave for work. Come out in the next 15 to 20 minutes."
After the call, she smiled to herself, picked up his car key, his expensive cologne, and his watch from the dressing table, then returned to the sitting room.
Yibo stood and took the keys from her. She sprayed the cologne on him with a smile.
"You look cute, sweetheart."
He took the watch and began fastening it.
"Thank you."
She touched his face gently and pleaded, "Please don't even look at any other woman today....no smiles for your female patients, and especially not the nurses. Promise?"
He gave her a soft smile that only made him more charming. She couldn't stop staring. He finished adjusting his watch and said, "You don't need to worry."
She watched him head toward Zhan's room, but her face fell the moment she realized where he was going.
Inside, Zhan was kneeling by the bed. As he heard the door open, he turned slightly. Yibo hurried over and asked,
"Cramps again?"
Zhan nodded slightly.
"You see? I knew you wouldn't be able to handle school. Let's give it one more day, Baby. Rest today, go tomorrow when you're feeling better."
Zhan stood up, determined.
"No, I can go."
Yibo was surprised.
"Like this?"
Zhan grabbed his bag and phone, walking slowly toward the door.
"I said I can manage."
Yibo watched him walk out, then followed. They stepped into the sitting room where Min, still standing, blinked in shock to see Zhan dressed and ready.
"I'm dropping him off at school before I head to work," Yibo said.
Min blurted, "School? But I thought he was sick! Shouldn't he be resting? What's he going to school for when he's not well?"
Yibo replied calmly, "He said he's feeling better."
Min nearly exploded but bit her tongue. Zhan passed her and said, "See you later,"
Then headed out the door.
Yibo added, "I'll be back later," but Min said nothing, too frustrated to speak. She spun around and stormed back to the bedroom.
On the way, as Yibo drove, Zhan's phone vibrated on his lap. Yibo glanced at the screen....Dr. Kexing was calling. Zhan silenced the call and didn't answer.
After about ten minutes of driving, Yibo said, "You're going to school because of him, aren't you?"
Zhan looked at him in surprise.
"What do you mean, because of him?"
Yibo went quiet again, eyes on the road. Then he said, "Let's go to the hospital instead. I know you....you'll just end up lying down at school. You can't really function during this time of the month…"
Zhan replied firmly, "I'm going to school. I can cope."
Yibo didn't say another word. When they arrived at the school gate, he scanned the parking lot and quickly spotted Dr. Kexing's car. He turned off the engine and leaned his head back against the seat.
Zhan looked at him, confused by the delay and he didn't unlock the door, finally he said, "Gege, I'm late."
Yibo started the car again and began to reverse without even looking at Zhan.
"You're not going in today, Baby. Not when I know you won't be able to sit through a single lecture."
Zhan pleaded weakly, "No please, Gege, I told you I can manage."
But Yibo didn't listen. He drove out of the school department without saying another word. Tears welled in Zhan's eyes as he stared at Yibo, who never once looked back at him. They exited the school gates, and Yibo turned toward the hospital where he worked.
By the time they reached the hospital, Zhan had silently wiped away several tears that kept falling despite his efforts. He was on the verge of breaking down completely. After parking, Yibo finally spoke without looking at him.
"You're going to see Dr. Kexing, not to attend any lectures. If I may ask...do you still have any business with him?"
He didn't wait for an answer. He got out of the car.
Tears streamed freely now as Zhan sat still. Yibo walked around, opened the car door for him and said, "Come out."
Zhan frowned but obeyed. Yibo locked the car and said, "Let's go."
Zhan walked ahead silently, Yibo trailing behind as they entered the hospital. The nurses recognized Zhan immediately. Before his recent exam stress, this hospital had practically been his second home, especially on weekends when Yibo was on duty...Zhan would always spend his weekends here with him.
He composed himself as they walked in. The nurses all greeted them warmly. Yibo stayed at the reception while Zhan headed straight to Yibo's office, knowing the way well.
Inside, Zhan entered without sparing Yibo a glance and went directly to the small cot where he usually rested. He curled up, wincing from the stomach pain that had become unbearable. His phone rang again....it was the second call from Dr. Kexing since they arrived. He sat up slightly, staring at the screen. Peeking into the main part of the office through the half-partition, he saw Yibo attending to a woman and her baby.
Zhan picked up the call and held it to his ear quietly.
From the other end, Dr. Kexing's voice came through.
"Zhan?"
With his head bowed and voice faint, Zhan replied, "Gege said I can't go to school today."
Dr. Kexing went silent for a few seconds before gently saying, "Okay… Are you feeling any better now?"
Zhan nodded even though he knew Dr. Kexing couldn't see him.
"Yes."
"Good. Take care, alright? I'll talk to you later."
The call ended, and Zhan's chest tightened at the sudden emptiness. Tears filled his eyes again. He peeked into the main office....Yibo was alone now, writing something at his desk. Zhan glared at him through the small partition, his face flushed with emotion. Just then, he noticed Yibo rising and walking toward him. Quickly, Zhan wiped his tears, lay down, turned his back, and shut his eyes.
When Yibo entered, he leaned over and said softly, "Baby?"
Zhan didn't respond.
"I heard you on the phone not long ago," Yibo added.
Still no reaction.
That's when Zhan remembered how sharp Yibo's hearing was. Zhan sat up quietly, his face emotionless.
"Still feeling the cramps?" Yibo asked.
Zhan nodded.
"Do you want me to give you an injection?"
Zhan looked up and met his eyes. Yibo broke eye contact almost immediately and turned away.
"I'll call someone to do it," he said, then left the office.
After a short while, Zhan ate a little of the food someone brought for him, and Nurse Shihai came in to administer the injection. Less than twenty minutes after receiving it, Zhan dozed off. The pain faded with the injection....it always felt like magic to him, like the pain had been lifted out of his body.
Back at home, ever since Yibo left with Zhan, Min had been restless. She knew that by now Shu was probably on her way, and if Zhan wasn't around, Shu would definitely bring up the issue of the missing gold again. Completely unsettled, she rushed out to the compound and approached the security post.
Without even replying his greeting, she asked, "What's your name?"
Politely, he replied,
"Muye, ma'am."
"Alright. There's a woman who may come by any time...tall, light-skinned, slimmer than me. When she arrives, tell her no one is home. You're the only one here."
He nodded, "Understood, ma'am."
Min returned inside, picked up her phone, and immediately turned off the line Shu knew, so that any call to it would go straight to voicemail. Then she dialed her best friend Se.
As soon as Se picked up, Min shrieked with laughter, "Babe! Things are going so well, let me tell you!"
Se chuckled, "Ah, tell me all the details!"
Min repositioned herself on the couch, grinning. "You won't believe it....he's back to the way i knew him before, totally obsessed. And guess what? Yesterday, I told him I had no money and he sent me more than he ever has before."
Se gasped. "You're kidding! Alright, send me the remaining money...I need to go and pay some people too!"
Min replied, "You already know! But seriously, who's that woman selling those luxury items?"
Se burst into laughter. "No way! I'm not telling. You know I don't hide things from you, but even I get her stuff and mix them before selling to make a little profit. If I give you her direct contact, you'll go straight to her and might even make him like your puppy!"
Min laughed. "I swear, if you say I should pay for it, I'll pay! Just give me her number. Tell me the price and I'll send it now."
Se laughed again.
"Forget that for now...what about the balance you owe shaman? You know he's still helping you, right? Has he said anything about the… you know… the thing you didn't tell him about your past?"
Min scoffed. "He blamed it on temptation. Anyway, don't worry...I'll send the money in full. But there's something else going on, Se. You know what they say...walls have ears. Let's just chat on WhatsApp."
"Alright, let me turn on my data."
Min ended the call and opened her WhatsApp.
***
Later that evening, after a long nap, Zhan slowly opened his eyes when he felt a hand on his forehead. He blinked and found Hai Kuan sitting right in front of him, he immediately sit up rubbing his eyes and watching him closely.
"How are you feeling?" Hai Kuan asked.
Zhan replied quietly, "Better...good evening?"
"Evening," Hai Kuan said.
Yibo walked over and asked, "You feeling alright now?"
Zhan nodded.
Hai Kuan turned and sat back in a nearby chair.
"What would you like to eat?" Yibo asked.
Hai Kuan answered for him, "I'll get something for him when we step out. It's getting late."
Yibo nodded.
"Alright. Aren't you going to use the bathroom here...Barrister's waiting for you."
Zhan looked at Hai Kuan, then stood to pick up his backpack and quietly went to the bathroom. Though he could have gotten what he needed in front of Yibo, he couldn't bring himself to do so in front of Hai Kuan....not even from childhood.
Yibo watched him go, then returned to his seat.
When Zhan came back out, only Yibo was there.
"He's waiting for you in the car," Yibo said.
Zhan frowned. "Where I'm even going with him, Gege? You know I'm not feeling well."
Yibo replied, "It won't take long he will bring you back, and he won't eat you. He's your brother too."
Zhan went quiet, then without another word, walked to the door and left.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛