Yibo was in the kitchen, chatting animatedly with his mother, Yuting, who was busy preparing dinner. It was a relaxed Thursday evening, and Yibo wore a casual three-quarter pants and a vest since he didn't have lessons that day. Yuting, listening to his chatter, shook her head with a small smile and finally said, "Your specialty is talking endlessly without offering any help, either small or big."
Yibo went quiet, watching his mother. Yuting noticed the change in his demeanor and smiled warmly. "I was just joking, sweetheart. Now go to your room while I fry some onions and peppers."
Yibo stood up and quietly left the kitchen. Yuting watched him go before leaning against the counter and letting out a sigh. She stepped out of the kitchen briefly, fearing Yibo might fall asleep, as that was often the next thing he would do once he entered his room. She entered his room and found him lying down.
"You can't sleep now; it's still late afternoon. Go to my room, and you'll find a bag of fabrics on the dressing chair. Take it to Zihan and tell her it's for Yu wedding attire," Yuting instructed.
Yibo sat up slowly and asked, "Should I just show it to her?"
"Yes, and ask her to show it to your Shengjie. Now go," Yuting replied before leaving the room.
Yibo headed to his mother's room, picked up the fabric, and made his way to the living room out of their part.
However, Mengxi who had been in the kitchen earlier and was overwhelmed by the smell of spices, frowned as she spotted him entering.
Covering his nose, Yibo turned to leave but suddenly dashed up the stairs to Zihan room. Out of breath from holding his nose and running, he collapsed in the corridor, struggling to breathe.
Meiling emerged from Zihan's room and rushed to Yibo's side. "What happened?" she asked in alarm.
The sound of Meiling voice drew Zhan out of his room. He took one look at Yibo struggling for breath, he glanced toward his mother's room, and hurried over. "Get his inhaler, quickly!" Zhan instructed Meiling, who rushed off to fetch it.
Zhan carried Yibo into Zihan's room and leaned him against the bed. Zihan, just emerging from the bathroom, gasped in shock. "Is it an asthma attack? What caused it? Should I go get his inhaler?"
"Meiling's already gone to fetch it," Zhan replied as he stayed by Yibo's side, watching him struggle for breath. Yibo's condition was heartbreaking to see, and Zhan's focus never wavered.
Meiling returned with the inhaler, and Zhan quickly gave it to Yibo, who inhaled deeply, gripping Zhan's hand for support. Zihan stood by, her face filled with worry, silently observing.
Slowly, Yibo's breathing returned to normal. Zihan sat down on the edge of the bed, cradling her head in her hands. Xinyi and Mengxi appeared in the doorway, their faces filled with concern as they watched from a distance.
Moments later, their mother, Yuchen, approached. "What's going on here?"
"It was Yibo's asthma attack," Mengxi explained, motioning toward the room.
Yuchen peered in, her expression hardening as she noticed Zhan's proximity to Yibo. "What are you doing here, Zhan? Are you his doctor now?"
Zhan quickly stood, trying to explain, "I was just passing by..."
Yuchen cut him off with a sharp glare. "Don't meddle in things that doesn't concern you. Are there no doctors to handle his condition? Or are you seeking attention?" That boy has a health issue, I wonder who will marry a sickler.
Zhan remained silent, his gaze fixed on Yibo, whose breathing had evened out. Zihan tried to intervene, muttering, "It's not like he chose to have this condition...Don't call him a sickler. He's not defined by this. Let's stop stigmatizing him."
Yuchen scoffed. "You can keep covering for him all you want. Everyone know about his health."
Zhan finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Mommy, he's not a sickler. He's just a carrier."
Yuchen rolled her eyes. "What difference does that make? Do you have a problem with the term?"
Without responding further, Zhan quietly left the room, letting the tension linger behind him.
Zihan shook her head, staying close to Yibo, who had drifted off to sleep. Yet, not long after, Yibo woke up again, clutching his chest in pain. Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled to shift positions. Zhan entered the room silently, noticing Yibo's distress.
"What's wrong now?" Zhan asked, his tone soft but concerned.
Yibo pointed to his chest, bursting into tears. Zhan sighed. "Crying won't ease the pain. Sit up."
With difficulty, Yibo sat up, just as Zihan re-entered the room. She hurried to the bedside, her face creased with worry. "What's wrong now, Yibo? Where does it hurt?"
He pointed to his chest again. Zihan rushed to get his medication. Zhan remained at the bedside, cautioning Yibo not to lie down again. Minutes later, Zihan returned with the medication, and Zhan administered it to Yibo. Just then Zhan hear the sound of his mother's bedroom door, he quickly stood and ran to the back of Zihan bedroom door to hide himself.
Yuchen entered the room shortly after, her gaze scanning the scene with a hint of disdain. "When she didn't see Zhan inside, she scoffed before she close the door behind her.
Zhan quietly come back to Yibo's side, but Zihan glanced at him, muttering under her breath, "Some people just love to criticize without helping. And you Zhan this will not do you any good, what is wrong with your mother? How can she forbid you to interact or show care and concern to Yibo? For heavens sake he's your cousin, if not for relation do it for the sake of your job, you're a Doctor you- your self."
As the household settled down, Yibo finally drifted off to sleep, Zhan's silent concern lingering even as he stood outside the room.
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As the evening deepened, Yibo woke up from a nap that had consumed most of him. Zihan greeted him warmly, "How are you feeling, Yibo?" He replied softly, "I'm feeling better." Zihan said, "Good. Go wash your face in the bathroom." Without hesitation, he got up and washed his face before returning to his seat. Zihan then left the room and soon came back with a plate of food. After finishing his meal, Yibo stood up with the plate and said, "Good night, Yimei."
Zihan teased, "Oh, you're not staying here tonight?" Smiling, Yibo shrugged his shoulders and headed for the door. Zihan called after him, "By the way, you didn't tell me what this bag is about." Yibo turned quickly and said, "Oh, Mu Qin mentioned I should bring the fabric for Aunt Yu's wedding." Zihan nodded. "I see, it's finally happening. Tell her I'll stop by tomorrow." Yibo smiled, "Alright," and left the room.
On his way downstairs, Yuchen glared at him with disdain, but Yibo ignored her entirely and made his way to the kitchen with the plate. Inside, Xinyi was tidying up, and Zhan stood by, pouring tea into a mug. Yibo set the plate on the counter when Xinyi commented, "Are you leaving dirty plates here, really?" Pouting, Yibo grabbed the liquid soap to clean the plate himself.
Xinyi turned to Zhan and asked, "Should I get your food ready Zhan ge, or are you heading out?"
Zhan scowled, "Is it the overly spiced one you cooked or the mild version?" Xinyi chuckled, "Oh, Zhan ge, it's not too spicy." Zhan scoffed, "Do you think I haven't tasted it? You all dump so much spice into the food as if we're vultures."Xinyi laughed nervously, "Should I make you cous-cous instead?" Zhan dismissed her, "I'll just take pizza."
Once Yibo finished washing the plate, he quietly left the kitchen.
Yuting noticed Yibo entering the room and asked, "How are you feeling, Yibo?" He smiled and replied, "I'm feeling better, Mu Qin," before heading to his room. Yuting watched him go, concern etched on her face.
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At 10:45 PM, Yuting entered Yibo's room to find him asleep. She woke him gently and handed him her phone, saying, "Why did you turn off your phone?" Yibo rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "It probably died because it wasn't charged." Yuting sighed, "When you're done, return my phone."
Yibo nodded and said, "Fu Qin, good evening." On the other end, Quentin responded, "Why was your phone switched off?" Yibo tilted his head. "Fu Qin, I forgot to charge it yesterday."
Quentin sighed. "Take better care of yourself. How are you feeling now?"
"I'm feeling better, Fu Qin. I miss you. When are you coming back?" Yibo asked longingly.
"Weekend," Quentin replied. Yibo's eyes lit up with excitement. "Please, Fu Qin, don't postpone it. I really want to see you," he said, his voice breaking slightly. Quentin chuckled warmly. "I promise. Now make sure you take your medication and get some rest."
"Okay, Fu Qin. Dr. hasn't visited yet, though," Yibo added. Quentin reassured him, "He'll come by tomorrow. Sleep well, dear, and no overusing the air conditioner." Yibo laughed softly. "Alright, Fu Qin. Byeee." He hung up, returned Yuting's phone to her room, and climbed back into his bed.
On Friday, Yibo returned from school and took a quick shower before noticing the smell of food wafting from the kitchen. Yuting had left him lunch on the stove before heading out to the market, but not before warning him not to let it burn. Remembering her words, Yibo dashed out of his room in a towel and hurried to the kitchen to turn off the stove.
From the balcony, Nainai's voice rang out. "It's been days since Yibo visited me, so I thought I'd check on him. He's been so unwell lately. Yesterday, no one even brought me food! I suppose it's too much for Yuting to bring me anything since I'm not Huan her mother."
Seth chuckled from nearby. "But we sent you food from our place yesterday."
Hearing the commotion, Yibo hurriedly go to his room and put on a bathrobe and stepped into the kitchen to turn off the stove. Without wasting any time, he walked out from the kitchen back door, barefoot, making his way to the front of the house. Zhan was sitting on a white chair, engrossed in a phone call. Yibo pouted as he walked past him. Less than five minutes later, Nainai's voice echoed closer, and Zhan quickly got up and left before she could see him too, but it's too late, she and Seth saw him and called his name, but Zhan ignored her when he vanished into a corner.
"Zhan ignored me again!" Nainai exclaimed in frustration, wiping imaginary tears. Seth chuckled, "You told him and Yibo not to come near your side of the house again, even complaining to Bobo about it."
Nainai scowled. "Does he not understand people get upset sometimes?"
Yibo nearly bumped into Zhan, who was rounding the corner. "Can't you watch where you're going?" Zhan snapped. Yibo rubbed the spot where they'd collided. "I was running away from Nainai, later I don't want her to say I was rude to her again."
Zhan ignored him and continued walking, but Yibo followed. Noticing this, Zhan stopped abruptly and asked, "Why are you following me?"
"I'm not," Yibo replied. "I'm just going the same way."
Zhan crossed his arms. "Fine, go ahead. I don't want you near me." Yibo shrugged and walked away, counting his steps as though unfazed. Zhan shook his head in exasperation and resumed his pace.
When they reached the kitchen door, Yibo suddenly asked, "Have you forgotten the promise you made to me two years ago Zhan-ge?"
Zhan turned slightly. "What promise?"
"You said if I worked hard in my exams, you'd..." Yibo began, but Zhan cut him off. "I don't remember."
"You do!" Yibo protested, grabbing his arm. Zhan shook him off with a glare. "Let go of me before I lose my temper on you," he warned.
Yibo pouted but obeyed, watching as Zhan entered the kitchen and shut the door behind him. A few minutes later, Yibo turned on his heel and headed to their wing to change into his clothes, muttering under his breath.
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Since morning, Yibo had been full of joy, unable to contain his excitement. He went into the kitchen and asked, "Mu Qin, when will Fu Qin arrive?"
Yuting glanced at the clock and replied, "Have you even checked the time, Yibo?"
Yibo asked, "Mu Qin, do I still have to attend my lessons on the day Fu Qin comes back?"
Yuting shot him a stern look and said, "Why would you stay at home? Do you think he's arriving this morning? Get out of my sight and get ready my friend, or you'll regret it."
Feeling dejected, Yibo turned and went to his room to prepare. After some scolding from Yuting, he reluctantly agreed to eat the breakfast she had made. While he sat at the dining table picking at his food, Meiling entered the living room.
Yuting, who was cleaning the living room, said, "Meiling, don't let him delay you, just go ahead. He will have to walk today."
Meiling just laughed and left the room. Seeing that it was already past eight, Yibo stood, grabbed his bag, and left with tears brimming in his eyes, not even sparing Yuting a glance. Yuting, on the other hand, didn't pay him any attention.
When he stepped outside, he found Zhan leaning against the car, yelling at his younger siblings and cousins. None of them dared to say a word; they just stood there, listening.
"Of course, you all want a ride just to show off to your classmates. You think I'm your personal driver, huh? If Seth thinks he can handle it, he should drive you himself. I'm not tolerating this nonsense anymore," Zhan snapped.
In a calm tone, Xinyi said, "Zhan ge, just because you're here doesn't mean you have to drive us. Besides, Papa said we might get a new driver by Monday."
Zhan shot her a sharp look, and she quickly lowered her head. Yibo had just arrived and was about to open the car door to get in when Zhan stopped him. "Hey, Oga on the top, do I look like your family driver? You left us waiting here for 15 minutes. From now on, you'll be walking to your lessons." Pointing toward the mansion's large gate, he added, "Go on, take that path and start your trek."
Yibo gave him a wide-eyed stare, looking like he might cry, before turning to walk back toward their duplex. "I've never walked to school before," he muttered.
Zhan barked, "If you don't move now, I'll make sure you cry for real."
With tears welling in his eyes, Yibo headed toward the gate, pouting. Zhan waited to see him leave before getting into the car and driving off, passing Yibo on the way without so much as a glance.
Standing by the roadside, Yibo covered his face as though to hide his tears. After about 15 minutes, a calm voice asked, "Are you okay young man?"
Slowly uncovering his face, Yibo peeked through his fingers to see who was speaking. A tall young man, no older than twenty-six, stood before him. He was dressed casually, wearing dark glasses, and exuded an air of calmness.
Overcome with emotion, Yibo started crying again. The man frowned with concern. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Please, talk to me."
In a trembling voice, Yibo explained, "My brother said I can't ride in the car anymore. He told me I have to walk, even though my lessons are far away."
The man studied him with surprise. Yibo peeked at him again through his fingers before quickly hiding his face once more, sobbing softly.
The man smiled faintly. "Did you do something to upset your brother?"
Yibo shook his head.
"Alright, let me give you a ride," the man offered gently. "My car's just over there. I noticed you standing here when I went to refill my tank, and when I came back, you were still here. I thought I'd check on you."
Yibo hesitated, then shook his head. "No."
"Okay," the man said with a nod. "Should I call a cab for you instead?"
Yibo nodded. The man flagged down a taxi and paid the fare before Yibo could protest. As he got into the cab, Yibo said softly, "Thank you." The man simply smiled as the cab drove off.
Seth picked them up from their lessons at noon. On the ride home, he noticed Yibo's sulking face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"My feets hurt," Yibo mumbled.
"Alright," Seth said, "when we get home, put some heating cream on them."
When they arrived, Seth helped Yibo out of the car and escorted him to their wing. Once inside, Yibo took a quick bath, and his Mu Qin applied heat cream to his feet. She then tucked him into bed, and he quickly fell asleep.
At 3:30 p.m., Yuting woke him up. Yibo blinked in surprise at the spread of food on the table. "Mu Qin, is all this for Fu Qin?"
Yuting smiled and said, "No, it's for you."
Beaming, Yibo hugged her from behind. "Thanks, sweet Mum."
Yuting chuckled. "Your Fu Qin called. He's at the gate. Go help him with his bags."
Yibo dashed to the door, and the guard opened the gate just as Quentin's car pulled in. Yibo ran to the parking area, practically glowing with excitement. Zhan, who was stepping out of his car, locked eyes with Quentin's driver.
Quentin got out of the car, and Yibo ran to hug him tightly. Quentin smiled and stroked his hair. "You never seem to grow up, do you?"
"Please don't stay away for so long again, Fu Qin," Yibo pleaded. "I miss you too much."
Quentin laughed softly. "Alright, I'll try not to."
Zhan approached and bowed slightly. "Welcome back, Shushu."
Quentin smiled. "Thank you, Son. How's work in here?"
"I will starts on Monday," Zhan replied.
Quentin nodded. "I wish you success."
"Thank you Shushu." Zhan replied.
Quentin handed Yibo a bag of apples and chocolates-his usual gift for Yibo. While Yibo busied himself inspecting the treats, Zhan picked up Quentin's laptop bag and files, carrying them to the their wing.
When Quentin sat down in the living room, he noticed Yibo clutching the bag of apples possessively. "Zhan, take some apples," Quentin offered.
Yibo pulled the bag closer, staring at Quentin. Zhan, who initially intended to decline since he didn't like apples much, noticed Yibo's reaction and decided otherwise. "Alright, Shushu."
He approached Yibo, opened the bag, and took four apples out of the eight, along with a generous portion of chocolates. Yibo's eyes filled with tears as he watched him. Without looking at him, Zhan smirk and said, "Thanks, Shushu," and he left the room leaving Yibo glaring at his back...
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛