By five o'clock they were getting Zhan ready to leave....they planned to take him to their house. Panic had taken over him; he was a wreck, crying on and off as if someone was about to throw him into a furnace. They dressed him up anyway. After all the usual advice from Granny Ai and the household elders, they brought him to Lan Yi. They even took him into Lan Yi's bedroom where she sat with two friends and Dr. Jing's mother-in-law. Zhan collapsed into Lan Yi's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Lan Yi could only sit there, speechless, finally lifting her head with effort to look at him. In a broken voice between tears he kept repeating, "Mama, I'm not well… I'm really not okay."
(Gosh 😒Zhan, please, they are not taking you to your grave. 🙄)
Lan Yi gently laid him down on her bed. She seemed to be holding herself together so he wouldn't panic more; his heart hammered. Aunty Jianmen breathed out and watched as Lan Yi calmed him. Lan Yi finally stood and leaned toward them slowly. "I think we should let the Tianjin group be...have them go on. He's been unwell since yesterday. He's got nerves; it's just stress. Marquis and the others can escort them later."
Aunty Marquis, who had been standing in the doorway, stared at Lan Yi in surprise. "No, Lan Yi, I've never heard of anything anywhere like that. Please let them take him to his husband house where he can recover. Yesterday was enough. This isn't right." Dr Jing mother-in-law said.
Lan Yi answered quietly, "I'll speak to Shen Yi mother. I know she'll understand...she knows he's been ill since Tianjin." She left, followed by curious, silent glances from her friends. When she found Wu, she explained what she'd say to Cang. Wu hesitated, then smiled. "If you let them take him to his house, it will be settled. This is normal."
Lan Yi murmured, "I'd rather have him rest more....maybe another week or two. He's too stressed." Wu nodded. "If you insist, I'll inform them he's not well. Let's go."
So the Xiao's family left the house without taking Zhan to his maternal home. Even they weren't happy about that.....after all, they'd extended the stay for this reason. Granny Ai, sulking with hurt pride, didn't kept the thoughts to herself and scowled Lan Yi. Watching Yisue, she snapped, "This split in health is just an excuse. We all suffer like this too....why didn't they take him his hause? Everyone knows how attached he is to Yibo. This is new; you've never treated anyone this way. If they won't take him home, I'd rather drag him out myself and put him in the car."
Yisue shook her head. "Honestly, Lan Yi, sometimes I don't know where your head is. When has this ever been done?" Granny Ai, irritated, muttered, "Only in our family. This shameless act just never ends."
Yisue scoffed, "Now they'll say ' we never let them take him quietly'.....there will be chatter all over Tianjin about this." Granny Ai stormed out of the room furious. Aunty Marquis was equally speechless....even she didn't like what Lan Yi had done, but her sympathy for Zhan made her go along with it. In their view, only becouse it was Yibo had convinced Lan Yi to react that way; otherwise she never would have started this.
- - - -
By eight o'clock, Zhan was lying quietly in Lan Yi's room after changing his clothes. He finally began to calm down a little, even managing to eat some of the food they brought him. Aunty Marquis entered, looking him over.
"Did you eat?" she asked.
Zhan nodded.
"Good," she said. "Now get up and put on your proper clothes. We're going to greet your father...he's back and waiting in the sitting room."
Slowly, Zhan sat up, glancing nervously at her, and got off the bed. Aunty Marquis helped him spray a soft perfume that filled the air, then took his hand and led him toward the sitting room where Qiren was waiting. There were still guests around the house, and Zhan kept his head lowered the entire time.
As soon as they entered, his eyes accidentally met Yibo's.....who was sitting quietly on the couch. Zhan immediately lowered his gaze again and sat down beside Aunty Marquis.
In a low, timid voice, he murmured, "Good evening, Baba."
Qiren smiled warmly. "Good evening, my son. How are you feeling?"
Zhan kept his head bowed and said nothing. Lan Yi was also there, sitting silently. Qiren gave a long talk, speaking to both Zhan and Yibo, but his advice leaned more toward Yibo....on how to take responsibility and lead with patience. Neither of the boys dared lift their heads.
Tears silently rolled down Zhan's face. He had already given up hope; part of him still wished he would wake up to find this was all just a dream.
After nearly thirty minutes of fatherly advice, Qiren stood up and turned to Aunty Marquis. "Is there anything he still needs to take with him?"
Zhan's head shot up immediately. Lan Yi looked at Qiren in alarm.
"Just his bag and his phone," Aunty Marquis replied.
"Alright, bring them," said Qiren.
She stood and left. Turning to Yibo, Qiren said, "Get ready. I'll drop you both off myself."
That was when Zhan broke down, crying hard, his voice shaking as he looked desperately at Lan Yi. She glanced at Qiren and spoke softly, "Dear, he's still not well. I told you earlier, he hasn't recovered."
Qiren simply said, "His husband will take care of him at their home," and walked out of the sitting room. Over his shoulder he called, "Marquis, bring him to the car immediately."
Zhan wailed harder, unable to stop the tears. The decision, however, seemed to please Aunty Marquis....she had grown tired of his endless dramatics.
Despite Zhan's sobbing pleas, they led him to the car. Granny Ai, Yisue, and Lan Yi's friends followed to the parking area. Granny Ai muttered, "Well, it's about time. A father personally escorting his son to his husband's home....may good things come his way for doing the right thing. As for Lan Yi, may she finally come to her senses."
Aunty Marquis leaned down to whisper firmly into Zhan's ear, "Enough crying, you'll ne embarrass later. Sit properly." Then he climbed into the backseat.
Qiren refused to let Yibo drive. "I'll do it myself," he said firmly. Yibo obediently took the passenger seat.
The drive was not long but tense, the car filled only with the sound of Zhan's quiet sniffles.
At around half past ten, they finally arrived at the grand home Qiren had brought for the two of them in an elite neighborhood in Guangzhou. He parked, stepped out, and opened the back door himself. Zhan, eyes swollen and red, climbed out hesitantly.
Qiren took his hand, leading both him and Yibo into the beautiful sitting room, then up to the bedroom that had been specially furnished by Zhan's biological family. Turning toward Yibo, he said calmly,
"Yibo, I'm leaving you with my precious son. Take good care of him."
He gave Yibo a final pat on the shoulder, adding warmly, "I wish you both peace and happiness."
As Qiren turned to leave, Zhan suddenly rushed forward, wrapping his arms around his father and bursting into tears.
"Please don't leave me, Baba! Please! Take me home with you to Mama!"
Qiren sighed deeply but didn't look at Zhan.
Yibo stood silently by the doorway, eyes lowered, unable to move or speak.
It took Qiren another ten minutes to console Zhan in his arms. Once Zhan finally calmed, Qiren left the house...but Zhan's sobs didn't stop. He kept calling for Lan Yi as if his heart might burst. Yibo stayed in the sitting room for more than twenty minutes after Qiren left. He checked his watch: just after eleven. He rose slowly, went to the sitting room door and locked it, then walked to a separate room and closed that door as well. After a bath, Yibo changed into pajamas and lay down in the room that had been furnished too.
Sleep was just starting to overtake him when he suddenly sat bolt upright. He slipped out of bed and walked to Zhan's room. The door creaked open and he peered inside. Zhan was lying on the carpet floor, still asleep, still fully clothed. Yibo stepped in quietly, leaving the door ajar. He reached for the AC remote and lowered the temperature, then hesitated at the doorway. He couldn't bear the idea of Zhan spending the night on the floor. After a few seconds of watching him breathe, Yibo gently picked up the duvet from the nearby bed and covered Zhan with it, dimmed the lights to a soft glow, and quietly closed the door behind him.
***
At dawn Zhan woke slowly, staring at the duvet wrapped around him in surprise. He sat up, blinking, trying to remember when he'd slept so deeply from night until morning. He pushed the duvet aside and stood, setting his clothes neatly on the side of the bed. He moved like someone afraid to make a sound, opened the wardrobe and found his things arranged neatly inside. He closed it, went to the bathroom, brush and washed his face, and came back out.
Zhan sat on the sofa, still haunted by his feeling, he heard another door opened somewhere...He lay down on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes again while his heart thudded in his chest.
Around eleven in the morning Zhan was still lying on his side, head on the pillow, riddled with the restlessness that had kept him awake since dawn. Hunger finally made itself known. Then he heard a door open. Startled, he sat up so fast he nearly fell from the bed. Yibo stood in the doorway without meeting his eyes...and Zhan refused to look at him either. Yibo didn't bother with pleasantries. "Get up and have breakfast," he said.
Zhan pulled a face, hugged a pillow to his chest and turned his face away. He wouldn't look at Yibo. "I'm not hungry," he muttered, refusing to answer.
Yibo frowned. "Am I the one supposed to serve you?" he snapped.
Zhan turned his head stubbornly and stayed silent. Yibo's face hardened. "I'm not asking you, I'm telling you....get up and get your breakfast. Did you think sitting here sulking about being hungry? What business of mine is it?"
Zhan lowered his eyes. Yibo never dared speak laud or shout at him before. After a beat, he climbed down from the bed and padded toward the door, stealing glances at Yibo as he passed. He left, went into the main sitting room where he had already gone to fetch his plate. Yibo didn't look at him as he returned to the sitting room.
When Zhan set down the plate and slowly sit in his bed, the words Yibo had said kept spinning in his head. Tears welled in his eyes until he finally broke down and cried. Hunger....and the ache of everything that had happened..... pushed him to pick up the breakfast and start eating.
Midway through his meal, Yibo opened the door to his room, and quietly Zhan set the plate down behind him, eyes fixed on the doorway. Yibo say firmly "Breakfast, lunch, dinner....you don't have to wait for permission or announcements. When it's time, you get up and get your food. Find an alternative for yourself; don't expect me to repeat this. I don't want to keep reminding you."
His voice was firm, but there was no cruelty in it.....only the blunt command of someone insisting that the other take care of themselves. Zhan swallowed, listening, and ate in silence.
Zhan watched Yibo until he turned and left the room. For a while, he just sat there, unsure if Yibo might come back, but when he didn't, Zhan stood up quietly and walked out. The sitting room was empty, so he went to the dining area, saw that lunch had been brought in from home, and served himself a small portion before retreating to his room.
That evening, just as Yibo had said, Zhan didn't wait for a reminder. He stepped into the sitting room and found Yibo seated with a laptop open in front of him. Zhan stole a glance at him, but Yibo didn't even lift his head. Trying to act casual, Zhan slipped to the dining table, served himself a bit of food, and walked past Yibo....who still didn't look up once.
When Zhan reached the corridor, he couldn't help turning around for one last look. Yibo's gaze was still fixed on the screen, expressionless. Zhan pouted, huffed quietly, and stomped off to his room.
- - - -
The next morning, around nine-thirty, Zhan came out....not because he was hungry, but because he didn't want Yibo to accuse him of being careless again. The sitting room was empty, and breakfast had already been set on the table....prepared just as Lan Yi would have done at home, carefully portioned out with a bit extra for the house security team.
Seeing no clean plate, Zhan began glancing around for the kitchen. He found what he thought was the door and peeked in slowly. His eyes widened when he locked eyes with Yibo. Startled, he jumped back as if he'd been caught sneaking candy. Yibo ignored him and continued preparing his coffee before walking out.
Zhan stood frozen at the wall, head bowed. In a small, timid voice, he muttered, "Good morning, Gege…"
He didn't even realize it had slipped out. Yibo walked past him without a word or a glance. Zhan followed him with his eyes until Yibo disappeared down the hall toward his room. His lips trembled, tears welling up as the sting of being ignored hit him hard. He hugged himself tightly, then darted into the kitchen, grabbed a plate, and hurried back to his room where he threw himself face-down on the bed and began to cry quietly into his pillow.
He was still lying there when he heard his door open. He sat up quickly, wiping at his face. Yibo didn't step in...he just stood by the door and said flatly,
"What did I tell you yesterday?"
Zhan lowered his gaze.
"Did you hear me?" Yibo asked again, his tone sharp.
Barely audible, Zhan replied, "I...I'm going now."
"Good," Yibo said. "Even if you don't want to eat, you can throw it away later, but you must take your share"
Zhan watched as Yibo left, tears blurring his vision. He slid off the bed, wiped his face, and shuffled to the dining area. After serving himself, he hesitated, then glanced at Yibo.
"Gege, should I serve yours too?" he asked softly.
Without looking up, Yibo replied coldly, "Did I say I wanted any?"
Zhan bit his lip, said nothing, and quietly returned to his room.
Yibo deliberately kept his distance from Zhan like that for the next few days. He never gave Zhan a chance to start his usual stubborn drama or remarks. In the three days they'd spent together in the house, Zhan would only come out to get breakfast, lunch, or dinner... and even that, he did nervously, hoping not to bump into Yibo. Whenever Yibo heard Zhan's door open, he'd leave the sitting room immediately.
Deep down, though, Yibo hated himself for it. This coldness was the only way he knew to keep his peace...because no one knew better than him what kind of trouble Zhan could stir up once he got comfortable. Avoiding him was, somehow, self-preservation.
By nine that night, Yibo noticed Zhan still hadn't come out for dinner. For the past three days, Zhan had always eaten early. When it reached eleven and still no sign of him, Yibo got up and went to check. He opened the door and found Zhan lying in bed, wrapped tightly in his blanket.
"Baby?" Yibo rushed over, pulling the blanket away. Zhan's eyes opened, red and wet with tears.
"Gege," he sobbed, clutching Yibo's hand, "my stomach hurts…"
Yibo frowned, helping him sit up. "Isn't it supposed to be tomorrow?"
Zhan's voice trembled. "It didn't come…"
Yibo wiped his face gently. "I'll get you some medicine," he said, leaving the room.
A few minutes later, he returned with a plate of food and a glass of water. Setting them down, he lifted Zhan slightly.
"Eat a little first, then take the medicine, okay?"
Zhan shook his head weakly. "I can't eat."
"Yes, you can," Yibo insisted softly, scooping up a small spoonful. "Just a bit, Baby. For me."
Reluctantly, Zhan opened his mouth, taking a few bites before leaning tiredly against Yibo's chest. Yibo gave him the medicine and water, then tucked him in again, pulling the duvet over his small frame.
He stayed there beside the bed, watching until Zhan finally drifted off to sleep. Only then did he quietly take the leftover food away and return to check on him several more times through the night. By half past two, Yibo was still awake, glancing into Zhan's room every few minutes. When he finally went to lie down in his own room, exhaustion overtook him.
Around four a.m., he heard his door creak open. He switched on the light and sat up immediately.
"Baby?" he called softly.
Zhan rushed toward Yibo and crunchy in the bed side, Yibo immediately knelt beside the bed in alarm. "Is it starting again?" he asked, worry flashing across his face.
Zhan could barely nod through the pain. Yibo helped him sit up gently and said, "Let me get you some hot water."
Zhan clutched his arm, almost in tears. "No, just give me the injection....I can't take it anymore!"
Yibo sighed, trying to calm him down. "It's finish already. I'll get it tomorrow morning…"
But before he could finish, Zhan burst into tears, collapsing against his chest. "Why didn't you buy it earlier?!"
Yibo patted his back soothingly. "Alright, alright. Just take another dose of the pain medicine tonight. I'll get the injection first thing tomorrow."
After much coaxing, Zhan finally relaxed enough to lie back. Yibo went to get the medicine Zhan taken the previous night. By the time dawn came, Zhan had finally fallen asleep. Yibo quietly tucked him in, his gaze softening. Zhan was wearing his sleep shirt and short lounge shorts that barely reached his thighs. Yibo quickly looked away, cheeks warming. After a moment, he noticed Zhan's sleeping cap had fallen off. He carefully put it back on and covered him with a blanket before stepping out of the room.
By eight in the morning, Yibo returned from the pharmacy with the injection. He walked to the bedside, pulled down the duvet slightly, and said softly, "Hey, Baby."
Zhan's swollen eyes blinked open, meeting his gaze. "Feeling any better?" Yibo whispered.
Zhan shook his head weakly. Yibo lifted him up a little. "Alright, let's do the injection then."
Zhan frowned. "I need to use the bathroom first."
"Oh, okay. Come down carefully."
As Zhan climbed off the bed, Yibo's eyes dropped to the sheets...and he froze. "Uh… you're stained, Baby," he said gently.
Zhan looked down at the bed, horrified. "I forgot to use the pad…" he muttered under his breath.
Yibo smiled faintly. "Go to the bathroom. I'll get one for you."
Zhan shuffled to the bathroom, moving like an injured soldier. Yibo stepped out and headed to Zhan's room... a large space neatly divided, with rows of boxes lined up. He stood there, staring at eighteen boxes, completely clueless about which one held the pads. "Why does he have so many boxes? Is he stocking supplies for the apocalypse?" he muttered to himself.
He almost went to ask Zhan, but just as he reached the door, he spotted a pad sitting on the dresser. "Ah, thank heavens," he sighed, grabbing it. He also picked out a clean pair of underwear from Zhan's wardrobe before returning to change the sheets. Then he sat down, waiting.
Zhan, stubborn as always, managed to shower despite the pain. Yibo went to the kitchen and made tea for him. When he came back, he heard Zhan call weakly, "Gege, pass me the pad, please…"
Yibo set the tea down, grabbed the pad and underwear, and opened the bathroom door just slightly to hand them over.
"Uh… my towel," came Zhan's tired voice.
"Oh....right," Yibo said, quickly fetching it and passing it in with one hand, face turning pink from the steam that escaped the door.
Once Zhan came out, freshly showered and exhausted, he collapsed back onto the bed and closed his eyes. Yibo knelt beside him, brushing a hand through his hair. "You okay?" he asked softly.
Zhan didn't answer...he just pouted and looked away.
Yibo chuckled. "Come on, drink some tea before I give you the injection."
He lifted Zhan up carefully, holding the cup to his lips until he took a few sips. Then Yibo set it down and prepared the syringe.
When Zhan opened his eyes again, he saw the needle in Yibo's hand and tensed immediately. "Where are you putting that?"
"Thigh or back?" Yibo asked calmly, though his voice held a teasing lilt.
Zhan pointed lazily at his back.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Yibo shook his head. "Let's do the thigh. It's easier, and I don't trust your acting when you start complaining."
Zhan groaned dramatically, hiding his face under the blanket. Yibo laughed under his breath, lifted the towel slightly, and gave the injection expertly. Within minutes, Zhan's breathing slowed and he drifted to sleep.
Yibo adjusted the blanket and went to wash the stained sheet, muttering, "You cause trouble like it's a full-time job, baby…"
Around noon, Yibo came back into the room and found Zhan sitting up, awake but sulky.
"How are you feeling?" Yibo asked.
Zhan puffed his cheeks, refusing to answer, and turned his face away stubbornly.
Yibo sighed. "So you are feeling better, huh? Back to your dramatic self already."
He smirked and pointed at the door. "Alright, Mr. Drama, get up and get out of my room before I charge you rent."
Zhan looked at Yibo quickly, then his eyes filled with tears as he burst out, "Please, Gege, put some credit on my phone so I can call Mama and Baba...or even Hai Kuan Gege...to come and take me home. You're always scolding me in this house. When I greet you, you ignore me, and you even said you'd slap me!" His voice cracked as tears streamed down his face.
Yibo stared at him for a moment before replying, "And did I actually slap you?"
Zhan wiped his tears but didn't answer.
"Then why should I pay you any attention," Yibo continued calmly, "when you keep acting so spoiled and rude to me lately?"
Zhan's head snapped up. "When have I ever been rude to you, Gege?"
Yibo just gave him a long, unreadable look. Zhan pouted, folding his arms across his chest like a sulky child. "I just…" he started, then trailed off.
"You just what?" Yibo prompted.
Zhan's voice trembled slightly as he lifted his big watery eyes to Yibo. "I just… you're my big brother."
Yibo raised a brow. "And who said I wasn't?"
Zhan looked down, fiddling with his fingers. Yibo's tone softened. "Hey, I've always been your Gege. That won't ever change."
Zhan looked up hopefully. "Really?"
Yibo smiled a little. "Really what?"
Zhan lowered his gaze again. "What you just said… you mean it?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
Yibo sat down beside him on the bed and sighed. "Baby, you're the one making things complicated. How could I ever stop being your brother? Impossible."
Zhan looked at him quietly for a moment. "Then promise me something," he said softly.
"What promise?" Yibo asked.
"Promise me we'll always be siblings."
Yibo's eyes dropped to the floor. He stayed silent for a while before saying, "Have I ever lied to you before?"
Zhan shook his head.
"Then believe me, Baby. We'll always be the way we're now. Nothing can ever change that."
He finished with a sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips....a smile Zhan didn't notice.
Zhan felt warmth spreading through his chest at Yibo's words. He looked down shyly. "Okay then… Gege, I'm sorry for what I said and done earlier."
Yibo smiled gently. "It's alright, Baby. I'm sorry too."
Zhan puffed his cheeks. "But you said you'd slap me."
Yibo laughed. "You know I was joking."
Zhan frowned dramatically. "You weren't! You were serious, Gege."
Yibo smirked. "Oh, so you want Mama to disown me for slapping her precious baby boy?"
Zhan pouted even more. "Mama hasn't even called me back. My phone credit is gone."
Yibo chuckled. "She's probably waiting for you to finish your little drama first, and why should I credit your phone when you're even richer than me now. Fine, I'll call her for you." He said that at the end when he sees Zhan glaring at him.
He picked up his phone and dialed Lan Yi, but the call rang out. "She's probably downstairs," Yibo said.
Zhan looked up hopefully. "Gege, can you take me to see her today?"
Yibo hesitated, then replied, "You're not feeling well today. Let's wait till tomorrow."
Zhan sighed. "Okay…"
He got off the bed slowly but then bent down suddenly to pick something up. The towel he had been wearing shifted slightly, and Zhan froze, realizing it.
Yibo glanced up briefly, caught his startled expression, and lowered his head again quickly, pretending to scroll on his phone. Then, without a word, Zhan reached for his sleep shirt and slipped it on.
Zhan cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh… Gege, could you please get me my clothes from my room?"
Yibo nodded casually. "Alright." He stood up and walked out of the room.
NB
🥱 You will find today chapter somehow so...so, I wrote it yesterday with headache, so ignore any mistakes please and enjoy it.
And enjoy some Yizhan AI picture to warm your hearts, credits goes to the owner's.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛