Zhan turned sharply to look at her.
Xixue continued,
"Yes… and I don't want it to take long. If there's someone you like, someone you trust, bring him forward. This is even a good opportunity—we might travel to Jincai house… and even if your uncle refuses to officiate the marriage, you'll still find someone who will."
Zhan was left speechless. He knew very well he didn't have anyone.
Xixue added gently, "Think about it, my son," before standing up and leaving the room.
That night, Zhan couldn't sleep. His mother's words kept echoing in his mind. Marriage had never been part of his plans, not even for a moment. But the seriousness in her tone unsettled him deeply.
And then there was Yibo…
Even though he didn't want to think about him, he knew—maybe marrying someone else would finally push Yibo out of his life… or stop whatever it was trying to begin.
He didn't sleep until dawn. And only then did he begin to regret coming back at all.
:
:
Yibo finally looked at Mrs. Wang for the first time since she walked into the room.
She had been speaking like she was giving orders—no warmth, no softness.
He smiled faintly and said,
"Mom… there's no marriage between me and Shao."
She responded sharply, "Is that so?"
"Yes," he said calmly. "The marriage wasn't arranged because of the pregnancy… and now it looks like they've gotten rid of it."
Mrs. Wang stared at him without blinking, then turned and walked out, clearly upset.
Yibo smirked slightly and leaned back, continuing his thoughts.
Everything started that morning… after the coffee.
He frowned.
What happened after that?
Why couldn't he remember clearly?
The door suddenly opened. He turned quickly—it was Bozai.
Bozai grinned, clearly amused.
"I heard something interesting around the house, brother… is it true?"
Yibo gave him a cold look.
"Get out. And close the door behind you."
Bozai shrugged, still smiling.
"But I never expected that from you. You, of all people…"
He laughed again and walked out.
Yibo sat down heavily, anger boiling inside him. At that moment, he felt nothing but disgust for everyone in the house.
----
Around noon, Zhan was in the kitchen preparing lunch when Roulan brought him a ringing phone.
He picked it up.
"Hello?"
Yunxi's voice came through.
"How was your night?"
"It was good. How's your home?"
"Fine. And the boys?"
"They're okay."
"Alright… I'll come over later."
"Okay."
The call ended.
Zhan turned to hand the phone back to Roulan...but froze.
The way Roulan was standing there… waiting… watching…excertly like his father.
For a second, Yibo flashed in his mind.
His heart dropped.
He handed the phone back quietly, and Roulan walked away.
Zhan forced himself to continue cooking, but his mind was no longer steady.
----
Yibo grabbed his car keys and stepped out of the house. He couldn't sit there anymore...his thoughts weren't leading anywhere.
He drove straight to Panzi's place.
When he arrived, Panzi was sitting outside...with Yunxi.
The moment Yibo saw him, he stopped.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
Tension.
Panzi, unaware of the storm, smiled and pointed at a chair.
"The great doctor! We attended your traditional wedding...you didn't even show up. I didn't call because… well, bad news doesn't travel through me."
Yibo didn't sit.
"I was just passing by," he said. "Thought I'd greet you. I have somewhere to be."
Panzi frowned. "What's this attitude? You just got here and you're leaving? When did you even return?"
But Yibo had already turned and walked away.
"Yibo!" Panzi called after him.
Without turning back, he replied,
"Send my regards to Ashui and Madam. I'm in a hurry."
He left.
Panzi stood there, confused, then turned to Yunxi.
Yunxi spoke calmly,
"Maybe he left because he saw me."
Panzi laughed.
"How would he even know you? That's just how Yibo is—don't take it personally."
Yunxi smiled faintly.
"Well… that's good to know."
He stood up.
"I should get going too...but don't tell your friend anything about me, i know he will aske you."
⏭ ⏭
Later that day…
Zhan stepped outside, dressed simply but beautifully. No makeup—yet he looked effortlessly radiant.
Yunxi sat in his car, watching him through the glass.
Zhan leaned against the car but didn't open the door.
Yunxi stepped out and walked around to him.
Without looking at him, Zhan said,
"Good afternoon."
"How are my boys?"
"They're inside. Come… you should greet Mommy."
He followed Zhan in.
Xixue welcomed Yunxi warmly, but he kept his head lowered, barely speaking.
He sat at the edge of the chair, clearly uncomfortable.
Zhan couldn't help but smile...he had never imagined Yunxi could be shy.
Not him.
Xixue noticed too and quietly excused herself, leaving them alone.
Immediately, Yunxi relaxed and looked up.
Zhan laughed softly as he poured him a drink.
"So you really know how to be shy?"
Yunxi stood and gave him a look.
"Of course. I'm going outside."
Zhan blinked. "Why?"
"I can't stay here."
Zhan frowned. "I was about to serve you food."
"I'm not hungry. Just send the boys to me."
And just like that, Yunxi walked out.
Zhan clicked his tongue, annoyed, and sat down.
Moments later, his phone started ringing—Yunxi.
He ignored it.
Yunxi called again.
Still nothing.
Then a text came:
"Please Zhan, I'm in the car. I really can't sit in there. If you won't come, just send the boys."
Zhan sighed and went to call Roulan and Rouxue.
Outside, Yunxi hugged the boys as they ran to him, full of excitement.
"Uncle, are you coming tomorrow?" Rouxue asked.
"Of course," Yunxi replied with a smile.
Zhan quickly led them inside before they could say more.
As he turned, Yunxi grabbed his shirt.
"Wait."
Zhan turned quickly.
"What is it?"
"No greeting? You're just leaving like that?"
Zhan glared at him.
"I already greeted you on the phone."
"That's different."
Yunxi leaned him lightly against the car.
Zhan's heart started racing.
Yunxi lowered his voice.
"Can I come tomorrow? I want to greet Mommy properly."
"Why?"
"Because the boys said she'll like me."
Zhan stayed silent.
"Zhan…"
He looked away. "We'll see."
Yunxi smiled.
"When are you going back?"
"Monday."
"Monday?" he repeated, surprised.
Zhan nodded quietly.
"Then… we'll go together."
Zhan didn't argue.
Later, as they drove out with the boys, Yunxi glanced at him and said,
"Let's stop by my place too. It's close… I want you to meet my mom."
Zhan immediately shook his head.
"No."
Yunxi looked at him, amused.
"Why not?"
Zhan folded his arms and looked out the window.
"I'm not going."
Yunxi smiled slowly.
"This isn't a request."
Zhan quickly said,
"No, please… what will I go there as?"
Yunxi glanced at him, his voice low and calm.
"As my future husband."
Zhan froze, staring at him in shock.
Yunxi had already returned his gaze to the road, driving as if he hadn't just said something outrageous.
"No," Zhan said quickly. "At most, I can go as your friend. And I'm not ready for that, Dr. I didn't even tell Mommy I'd be going anywhere beyond where you said you'd take us."
"Alright then," Yunxi replied calmly. "But we'll stop by Tieh's place and pick her up. I think she wants to shop too."
Zhan just stared at him, completely speechless.
Soon, they arrived at Tieh's neighborhood. Yunxi parked and called her, telling her he was outside.
Zhan gathered himself and said quietly,
"Then let the boys sit at the back."
Yunxi shook his head.
"No, she'll sit at the back too. No problem."
Moments later, Tieh stepped out.
She was the true definition of beauty...striking, radiant, effortlessly elegant.
She opened the front seat door, smiling brightly.
"Sweetheart, so you actually came!"
Then she noticed Rouxue and Roulan. Her eyes widened.
"Wow! Cuties! Where did you get them from, sweetheart? They're so adorable!"
The twins greeted her politely, and she kissed both of them on the forehead.
Yunxi, watching her, said simply,
"They're my kids."
She laughed lightly.
"Oh please, who are they really? They're too cute!"
Yunxi glanced at Zhan through the mirror.
"Their uncle is sitting at the back."
Only then did Tieh turn properly.
"Oh! I didn't notice. Hello."
"Hi," Zhan replied.
Smiling, Tieh said,
"You've got sweet siblings."
Zhan forced a small smile.
"Thanks."
Tieh moved to the back seat and closed the door. Yunxi drove off.
Through the mirror, he kept stealing glances at Zhan, who had turned his face to the window, pretending to be absorbed in the passing view.
Meanwhile, Tieh filled the car with her soft, lively chatter.
****
Panzi looked at Yibo with mild curiosity.
"Why exactly do you want to know about him, doctor?"
Yibo's expression hardened.
"If you're going to tell me, then tell me."
Panzi leaned back slightly.
"He's my close friend. We studied together in England—both degree and master's. His mother is from Turkey, the simplest woman I've ever known. His father is China, from Beijing. He's the only son, with four sisters."
He paused, then continued,
"Dr. Lou Yunxi is… different. He's easygoing, but he doesn't make friends easily. Very genuine. One of the best graduates of our set. Right now, he's doing his PhD in the UK…"
Yibo cut him off sharply.
"I didn't ask for his life story or how intelligent he is. Where does he live?"
Panzi studied him carefully, suspicion creeping into his eyes.
"I don't think I should tell you that, Yibo."
Yibo simply smiled faintly, running his hand through his hair.
✴✴✴
As soon as they entered the shopping mall, Yunxi kept glancing at Zhan, noticing how tense his face was.
No matter how much Yunxi tried to get him to pick out what he needed, Zhan made it clear he didn't want anything.
Meanwhile, Tieh and the twins happily picked whatever caught their attention. Yunxi simply followed behind them, watching quietly.
At one point, Tieh moved toward the chocolates and biscuits, grabbing items...and every time the kids picked something, she added one for herself too.
Yunxi, still watching Zhan, waited until Tieh walked off before saying softly,
"Wait… why aren't you picking anything, Zhan? Did I offend you in any way?"
Zhan scoffed lightly without even looking at him.
"So I must take something just because we're in a mall? And if I don't, it means I've been offended? I'm just not interested."
Yunxi fell silent, watching him for a moment… then quietly turned and walked away, leaving him there as he returned to the twins and Tieh.
Not far from them stood a man holding a little girl...no older than three. Her hair was neatly braided, falling almost to her back. Beside him, a woman pushed a trolley, placing items inside.
The man's eyes were fixed on Roulan… he didn't even blink.
"Attorney, let's go," the woman beside him said.
Only then did he quickly look away and follow her...but not before glancing back again at the children, whose hands Yunxi was holding.
After paying for everything, Yunxi walked toward the exit where Zhan was already waiting.
Zhan noticed Yunxi watching him and quickly looked away...
....and that was when his eyes landed on Yang-Yang.
Yang-Yang was walking toward the exit, holding his beautiful daughter, while his wife followed behind with their shopping bags.
Zhan froze completely.
Everything around him seemed to stop.
The way he stared at Yang-Yang… was the same way Yang-Yang looked at him.
Neither of them blinked.
Until Yang-Yang reached the exit, lowered his gaze, handed his receipt to the security guard, and walked out without a word. His wife followed.
Zhan stood there in shock, watching Yang-Yang.
Then suddenly, he rushed outside, his heart pounding violently.
Just as Yang-Yang turned around...unaware that Zhan had followed...they locked eyes again.
Yang-Yang quickly looked away and walked to his car, opening the door.
His wife placed the shopping bags in the back seat and was about to get into the front when she suddenly stopped.
"Oh...Attorney, I left my phone at the counter!"
Without waiting for a response, she hurried back inside the mall.
Yang-Yang lifted his head again...and saw Zhan approaching him.
Before he could react, Zhan broke down, tears streaming down his face.
"Why are you pretending you don't know me?" Zhan said weakly.
"Did I deserve that, Yang-ge? Why are you acting like we've never met?"
His voice trembled, his entire body shaking as tears poured endlessly.
Yang-Yang couldn't look at him.
He couldn't speak either.
Not a single word.
Seeing Zizi coming back from the mall, Yang-Yang quickly got into his car and shut the door.
Zhan staggered backward, staring at him in disbelief...completely shaken.
From a distance, Zizi had already noticed Zhan wiping his tears.
When she got closer, she looked him up and down before saying,
"Excuse me… do you have a problem? Why are you standing here like this?"
Zhan didn't reply.
He turned and walked away quickly, stopping beside a parked car.
His chest tightened...and then he broke down completely.
Sobbing.
Why did this always happen… especially in places like this?
And now....seeing Yang-Yang act like he didn't even know him…
What had he done to deserve that?
He slowly slid down, resting his head on his knees, crying uncontrollably.
He didn't deserve this.
At the very least… Yang-Yang could have let him say thank you...for everything he had done for him.
Because Zhan knew… he could never repay him.
And maybe… they would never meet again.
Zizi returned to the car and sat down, her expression tense.
"Who was that?" she asked.
Yang-Yang simply spread his hands slightly, as if he didn't know.
Seeing her stare, he added calmly,
"Hee just asked to borrow my phone to make a call. I told him I didn't have airtime. That's all."
With an irritated hiss, Zizi snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
"If he had said that in front of me, I would've dealt with him today. Men like that...shameless, following other people's partners on the street! I mean, did he keep his money with you that he's asking to borrow your phone? Dear, if you don't want problems with me, stop responding to such people. Even if they talk to you for years, don't even look at them, don't answer...act deaf and dumb. Most of them bring nothing but trouble. I'm telling you now, I don't want any issues."
"Okay," Yang-Yang replied simply, starting the car and driving out of the mall while she continued complaining.
Back at the mall, Zhan felt his chest tighten painfully. He cried and cried, hoping for relief...but instead, the pain only deepened.
Yunxi searched everywhere for him, checking every corner, every aisle, but Zhan was nowhere to be found. Even Tieh kept glancing around, worried.
Finally, Yunxi handed his ATM card to Tieh.
"Here, you handle the payment."
"But the PIN?" she asked.
He told her quickly and walked out of the mall, leaving her watching him in confusion.
Rouxue tugged at Tieh's hand.
"Auntie, we can't find our uncle…"
Tieh crouched down with a smile.
"He'll find him soon, don't worry."
Meanwhile, after driving for a few minutes, Yang-Yang suddenly pulled over.
Zizi frowned. "What's wrong, Mimi's Father?"
He rubbed his forehead. "That problem I told you about last week… I don't know what's wrong with this car."
"So it won't start now?" she asked.
"Unless something changes," he muttered. "And I don't even have Ahmed's number from the garage. I'm honestly tired of this car."
She clicked her tongue. "So what do we do now? It's already late."
Yang-Yang glanced at his little daughter, Mimi, gently pinching her nose as she stared at him with wide innocent eyes.
"I won't let my Mimi suffer. I'll get you a taxi....you both go home first. I'll come later."
Zizi frowned. "Try starting the car again. It's not good for someone like you to be seen stranded on the roadside."
But he only smiled, stepped out, and flagged down a taxi. After telling the driver their address, he opened the door for her.
"Go on. I'll be fine."
Reluctantly, she agreed, taking Mimi and their shopping bags into the taxi.
Yang-Yang stood there until it disappeared from sight.
Then instantly...his expression changed.
He rushed back into his car, started it without hesitation, reversed sharply, and sped back toward the mall.
Back at the shopping complex, Yunxi was just about to give up when something caught his eye....
Zhan.
Curled up behind a parked car.
For a moment, Yunxi froze in disbelief. Then he quickly rushed over and knelt in front of him.
"What happened? Zhan… what are you doing here?"
Zhan couldn't speak. His shoulders shook as tears streamed down his face.
"Talk to me… please," Yunxi said, panic rising in his voice.
When Zhan still couldn't respond, Yunxi gently lifted him and carried him toward the car, ignoring the stares around them....including Tieh, who had just come out with the children.
He opened the back door and placed Zhan inside.
Rouxue ran over anxiously.
"Uncle, what's wrong with him?!"
Yunxi forced a calm smile.
"He just has a headache."
"I want to sit with him…" Rouxue said, almost crying.
Yunxi opened the back door again and let him in.
Nearby, Roulan suddenly burst into tears. Tieh hurried over in confusion.
"What happened, handsome?"
Without answering, Yunxi picked him up too and placed him in the back seat before closing the door.
Tieh stood there for a moment, watching everything unfold, before Yunxi opened the front door for her.
She got in silently.
Inside the car, Zhan struggled to control his sobs. Seeing the children cry because of him, he forced himself to calm down...and slowly, they quieted too.
Yunxi kept glancing at him through the mirror, restless, uneasy… wanting to pull him close and comfort him, but holding himself back.
As their car drove away from the mall....Another car rushed in.
Yang-Yang.
He parked carelessly, ignoring the security guards calling out to him. Panic filled his movements as he searched every corner, every path, even going inside the mall.
But Zhan was gone.
Eventually, he returned outside, his body heavy, his steps slow.
Leaning against his car, he rested his head on it, eyes filled with frustration and something deeper… something unresolved.
💚💙❤🖤