After 7 p.m., Yibo went to deliver food to Nainai and met Seth on the way, returning from Nainai's side of the house. Yibo greeted him, and Seth replied, "So, where's my share of the shopping, Yibo?"
Yibo replied with a smile, "Gege, I just bought body spray and perfume. Come over, and I'll give you one. If you finish half, just return the rest-I'm only giving you half, okay?"
Seth laughed and said, "Deal. When will you be back from Nainai's place?"
"As soon as I drop this off," Yibo replied.
"Alright, I'll stop by when I'm back. Get them ready for me, so I can pick which one I like," Seth said.
"Okay, I'll be waiting," Yibo answered before heading off.
When he arrived at Nainai's place, Yibo saw Zhan washing his face at the tap outside. Inside, he heard Nainai's voice, saying, "Zhan, make sure to lock the water pump. Yibo keeps draining my water and taking it to his mother."
Yibo rolled his eyes and muttered, "As if I'm the only one in this house."
Zhan glanced at him from his crouched position by the tap. Ignoring the comment, Yibo tossed his shoes by the door and entered the sitting room. He placed the food basket on the table in front of Nainai, who raised her voice and said, "At least Yibo asks before he takes water, unlike Meiling and Xinyi, who just take it without permission!"
Yibo sighed and walked out of the room. When he looked around, Zhan was no longer at the tap and hadn't locked the tap as Nainai requested. Shrugging, Yibo started walking toward their part, but before he got far, he saw Zhan standing in the pathway ahead.
Startled, Yibo's eyes widened, and he turned to run, but Zhan caught him quickly. Fearfully, Yibo stammered, "Gege, what did I do?"
Zhan gave him a cold look and asked, "Who dropped you off in a car earlier?"
Yibo frowned and replied, "When did you see me getting out of a car? I-"
Before he could finish, Zhan slapped him hard across the face. Yibo held his cheek in shock, panic setting in as he shouted for Nainai.
Zhan, glaring at him, said sternly, "You're not going to tell me who it was?"
Tears streamed down Yibo's face as he stomped his foot, clutching his cheek. Zhan continued harshly, "If I ever see someone else drop you off in a car again, I swear I'll make sure you regret it. No one in this house gets picked up and dropped off in cars. You're just a spoiled brat, acting like you're untouchable."
With that, he shoved Yibo aside and walked away.
Crying, Yibo ran back to Nainai's sitting room and collapsed onto the floor in tears. Nainai stood up and exclaimed, "What is going on? Who dared lay a hand on you?" Nainai asked when she noticed Yibo's cheek turn red.
Between sobs, Yibo cried out, "Gege did it!"
Nainai frowned and asked, "Who's Gege? What nonsense is this?"
Yibo didn't respond and kept crying and rolling on the floor. Nainai narrowed her eyes and muttered, "Zhan must have lost his mind if he dared to hit you!"
Sniffling, Yibo said, "He slapped me hard and pushed me!"
Nainai's eyes widened in disbelief. "He slapped you? And you just stood there? You should've fought back or bite and scratched him, then run away! What did you do to him? Well, it doesn't matter. Let's go show his father your face!"
She pulled Yibo to his feet and stormed out of the sitting room with him. As they walked, Nainai cursed Zhan loudly, saying everything that came to her mouth. Yibo followed her quietly, wiping his tears as they reached Zong's sitting room.
Inside, Yichen was crouching by the incense burner, adding some. Nainai barged in, her expression furious, and asked, "Where's your husband?"
Without looking up, Yichen replied, "He's not back yet. Good evening."
"'Good evening'? Would you even greet me if I didn't come here myself, Yichen?" Nainai snapped, sitting down angrily.
Yichen ignored her and continued with her task. Nainai turned to Yibo, who was still standing, and said, "Sit down. We'll wait for his father."
Yibo sat on the floor, dabbing his eyes. Shortly after, Zong entered the sitting room. He froze when he saw Nainai, who stared him down while tapping her foot impatiently.
"Is everything alright, A Yi?" he asked cautiously.
Zhan, who had followed behind Zong, froze when their eyes met. Realizing what was about to happen, he tried to retreat, but Nainai's voice rang out.
"Hold him, Zong! Don't let him run! Things will only get worse if you let him leave now!" We're sitting here because of him.
Zong turned to look at Zhan, whose expression was hard, clearly hesitating to retreat. Zong stepped into the sitting room and sat down, his gaze moving from Yibo, who had his head buried in his knees, to Nainai. Zhan was sneaking glances at Yichen as he entered and quietly sat on the floor, overwhelmed by his mother's presence. His heart was pounding relentlessly.
Zong asked, "What happened this time, A Yi?"
Nainai turned to Yichen, who stood silently, and said, "So, will you give us some privacy to deal with this matter, or should we move to another room?, because you are the only stranger in here... This are my son and grandchildren."
Yichen didn't respond but instead walked toward the door with a stoic expression. Zhan let out a small sigh of relief, clearly glad his mother had left.
Nainai stood up, locked the door behind Yichen and even turned the key, she returned to her seat. Zong watched her intently, waiting for her to speak. With a frown, she said, "Zong, earlier today, Yibo went to drop off food for me. On his way back, Zhan ran into him and had the audacity to slap him hard across the face! Can you believe this?"
She gestured toward Yibo, directing Zong's attention to his face. "What is this, Zong? Even an animal wouldn't deserve such treatment, let alone your own nephew! You better deal with this immediately. This is unacceptable! We've been patient with Zhan for too long because of his temper and struggles, but this crosses the line. If you don't take action now, Zong, we won't stand for this, Yibo and I included!"
Zhan kept his head down, too ashamed to meet his father's gaze. Zong's face hardened as he said, "You! Look at me!"
Reluctantly, Zhan raised his head. Zong's voice was firm. "Why would you slap Yibo? What on earth did he do to deserve that?"
Nainai sat back, crossing her arms, glaring at Zhan, who muttered under his breath, "I saw someone drop him off in a car earlier..."
Zong turned to Yibo and asked, "A car? Who dropped you off?"
Nainai's eyes widened. "A car? Yibo, who dropped you off with a car?"
Yibo didn't say anything but started tearing up.
Zong demanded, "Answer me, Yibo. Who dropped you off?"
Nainai cut in, "Wait, Zong. Don't let the car matter distract us from the main issue-Zhan slapped Yibo! So what if someone dropped him off? Even if they carried him home on their hands, it doesn't justify Zhan laying a hand on him. Is Yibo not allowed to ride in a car with someone else? Should we hope someone with a bicycle instead? We should be happy for him he gets a girlfriend... Or is Zhan planning to marry him if he doesn't get along with someone?"
Both Zong and Zhan stared at Nainai, who let out an irritated sigh. "If you ask me, someone dropping Yibo off in a car is good news! What's next, Zhan? Will you forbid him from taking taxis or public transportation? And if he ends up without a future partner, will you be the one marrying him?"
She clicked her tongue and continued, "Honestly, I've had enough today. Imagine, Yibo of all people-someone we've been trying to handle delicately... Zhan, daring to assault his cousin like this. And now, instead of focusing on the slap, we're discussing cars! What nonsense. If you don't take care of this, Zong, I swear I'll handle it myself in a way you won't like."
She stood up abruptly, glaring at Zhan. "Get up Yibo. Let's go. I've had enough."
Yibo stood without looking at Zong, letting Nainai pull him by the hand toward the door. As they reached it, Nainai turned back to Zong and said loudly, "Keep coddling your son, Zong. One of these days, I'll hire the toughest people in the neighborhood to teach him a lesson. When they're done, you'll know it was me."
She slammed the door shut behind them.
Zong let out a deep sigh as he looked at Zhan. His expression hardened, and he said, "Does that warrant you slapping him, Zhan?"
Zhan remained silent, avoiding his father's gaze. Zong raised his voice, "I'm talking to you, young man!"
With difficulty, Zhan finally muttered, "Papa, I'm sorry. I was only trying to do what I thought was right. In this house, I know you don't tolerate someone getting into a car with a stranger."
Zong shook his head and said, "That still doesn't justify slapping him! If he did something wrong, why didn't you report it to me? And for heaven's sake, Yibo is not a girl! You know how your grandmother is, and you're well aware that Yibo will report this to her."
Zhan mumbled, "I'm sorry."
Zong snapped, "Don't apologize to me! You owe Yibo the apology. He's the one you slapped. And don't you dare repeat this foolishness again."
"Okay, Papa," Zhan replied quietly.
Zong's voice grew firmer. "If you're not out of your mind, how could you raise your hand and slap him?"
Zhan remained silent, lowering his head.
"Get up and do what I told you," Zong ordered. "As for Yibo, I'll speak to him myself."
Zhan stood up, apologized once more, and left the sitting room.
On their way out, Nainai turned to Yibo with a smile and teased, "So, does this mean you've caught the attention of some girl with a car, Yibo?"
Yibo pouted and replied, "Nainai, it's not some girl like you wished, he's a man and not my boyfriend. I've already told everyone in this house that I'm not interested in women. Considering my health issues, what woman would even put up with me? So why waste my time? I prefer strong, successful men. And let's be honest, same-sex relationships are common these days."
Nainai chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll stop trying to set you up with women. It's not a problem. After all, despite your health challenges, the heavens have blessed you with a body that can bear children. You'll be able to have your own kids someday. My only concern is, didn't you tell him your grandmother is still alive? Why hasn't he come to greet me yet? When is he planning to do that?"
Yibo sighed and said, "He's not my boyfriend, Nainai. He's just my friend's driver. I visited her because she wasn't feeling well, and her mother asked him to drop me home."
Nainai's mouth fell open in surprise. "She wasn't feeling well... and it was her driver?"
Yibo didn't respond. Instead, he headed to their part, opened the door, and walked inside. Only then did he turn back to Nainai, who was still standing there in shock, and said, "Good night."
With that, he locked the door behind him.
🔹🔸▪️▫️
The next day, which was Friday, Yibo had been sitting on their balcony since returning from school, working on his math assignment. Yuting called him for the second time, and he finally put down his pen to respond.
Yuting said, "If you're not going to eat, bring the food back to the kitchen. I already told you!"
Yibo replied, "Just two more problems, Mu Qin. I'm almost done." He went back to his assignment, but something made him glance up. He saw a young woman, no older than twenty-two, approaching. Surprised, Yibo set his pen aside, stood up, and stepped out.
"Li Na Jie!" he exclaimed.
The beautiful woman smiled warmly. "Oh, Yibo has forgotten me."
Yibo hugged her and said, "I haven't forgotten you, Li Na Jie. But Gege doesn't even let me talk to you on the phone anymore."
Li Na laughed. "Well, you could always ask him for the phone, couldn't you?"
Yibo pouted. "He don't care anymore. If he doesn't bother with me, why should I bother with him?"
Li Na chuckled. "Why's that, though?"
Smiling, Yibo took the bag from her hands and said, "Because Gege has turned into a tyrant. Are you here to see Nainai?"
Li Na nodded. "Yes, I was nearby, so I thought I'd stop by to say hello to her."
Yibo laughed. "But does Gege know you're here?"
"No, he doesn't," Li Na admitted.
"Last time you came to see Nainai, he was with you. Why didn't you tell him to come with you this time?"
Li Na smiled again. "I told you-he doesn't even know I'm in the area. Is Aunty inside?"
Yibo nodded. "Yes, she is."
"Then let me say hi to her first," Li Na said, heading for the sitting room with Yibo following behind her.
Li Na greeted Yibo's mother warmly. "Li Na! You've been avoiding us." Yuting said.
Li Na smiled. "I've been busy with school. And even now, it's only because I'm on break that I could come."
Yuting said, "Blessings to you. I wish you to achieve success in everything you seek."
"Thank you Aunty," Li Na replied with a smile before excusing herself. "I'll just go greet Nainai."
Yuting nodded. "Make sure to stop by here again before you leave."
Li Na agreed, and as she stood up, Yibo said, "Mu Qin, I'm going to take her to Nainai. I'll eat when I get back."
"Fine by me," Yuting replied.
Li Na and Yibo left together, with Yibo carrying her bag. Everyone in the house knew Li Na was Zhan's girlfriend. Two years ago, before his mother returned home, Li Na used to visit often, greeting Yuting and Zihan. Whenever she went to see Nainai, Zhan would accompany her, refusing to let her sit in the sitting room for more than five minutes before finding a reason to whisk her away.
Li Na had always adored Yibo, even when he was younger.
When they reached Nainai's section of the house, Yibo opened the door with a knocked. Meiling and Mengxi were sitting with Nainai, and Li Na followed him inside with her own knocking.
Nainai, sitting on the rug, asked, "Who is this?"
Meiling responded, "Oh, Li Na! Welcome!"
Li Na smiled and replied, "Thank you, Meiling. How are you?"
She knelt on the rug, facing Nainai. "Good afternoon, Nainai, how are you?"
Nainai answered, "I'm fine, but I don't think I know you."
Meiling quickly explained, "Nainai, it's Li Na, Zhan ge's girlfriend."
Nainai's face lit up in recognition. "Ah, Li Na! Welcome! Someone, bring her some water and those leftover bananas."
Yibo quickly fetched the water.
Nainai chuckled. "Ah, now I remember. He only brought you here three times, and each visit was rushed. That's why I didn't recognize you. How are your parents?"
"They send their regards, Nainai," Li Na replied with a smile.
"Good to hear. Is Zhan the one who brought you today?"
Li Na shook her head. "No, I came by myself."
Nainai nodded knowingly. "Well, of course, you had to come alone. I haven't even seen him today-not even for Friday greetings-ever since I scolded him for slapping his little brother. Tell me, do your siblings treat you like this?"
Li Na only smiled.
Nainai sighed and continued, "Zhan only seems to take his anger out on his younger siblings. He slapped the boy just because someone dropped him off in a fancy car. And it turned out to be the driver! Zhan has always been fiery-ever since the day he was born. Even in the hospital, his cries filled the entire place, and if you see him.. He was so length and slim like a snake. And look at him now, all tall and skinny, yet full of furry."
Yibo burst into laughter, doubling over as Meiling joined him, while Mengxi simply rolled her eyes. Li Na, however, kept her head bowed, smiling softly. Nainai shook her head and said, "This is no laughing matter. I know what I'm saying. He was born hungry, I tell you! Maybe his mother hadn't eaten before going into labor. When we brought him home, I washed him thoroughly-he was so red and wrinkled back then, nothing like how lean he is now. You don't know the struggles I went through with Zhan. From the moment he was born, I had my hands full. For fifty days, I had to shuttle back and forth caring for him. His mother couldn't manage anything until I returned to my husband's house. After that, I only visited them weekly.
"His mother-oh, that woman was so thin and tall, just like how Yibo looks now," Nainai continued, scrunching her face in recollection. "And she kept overfeeding him! She filled him with her milk until his little stomach became bloated like a drum. Among all my grandchildren, no one had a stomach like Zhan's. I was the one who told his father to name him Zhan."
By now, Yibo was on the floor, laughing uncontrollably, with Meiling in tears from giggling. Li Na still avoided eye contact, her cheeks pink with suppressed amusement, while Mengxi frowned, shooting Nainai a sharp look, clearly unimpressed by the story. Nainai shifted in her seat and continued, "When he was about one year and seven months old, his mother weaned him, but even that wasn't easy. Among all of Zong's children, none nursed as much as Zhan did. He drained his mother dry, leaving her with no choice but to pass him off to her younger sister to wean him because I flatly refused to keep struggling.
"Oh, the trouble he caused!" Nainai said with a dramatic sigh. "After he was weaned, Zhan would grab a bottle of milk and not put it down until he drank every last drop. And that belly of his-so big, like seven month pregnant women, and that's why his mouth was so small and thin lips... Because of how he regularly sucked his mother's milk. He cried all the time, always whining and sulking. Honestly, the only reason I took him off his mother's hands was because I feared he'd wear her out completely. He was such a handful-peeing standing up, pooping standing up-and his mother would just clean up after him and move on. She spoiled him completely.
"And then there was Seth," Nainai continued, referring to Zhan's younger cousin. "When he was born, so small and delicate, like a kitten wrapped in a shawl, I thought he was a doll. The difference between Zhan and Seth was the length."
Nainai sat silently, watching Yibo closely. Suddenly, she widened her eyes and exclaimed, "What are you doing?"
Meiling, who had been laughing with Yibo, stopped abruptly and looked at him with concern. She quickly pulled him upright and asked, "What's wrong, Yibo?" Li Na also stood up in alarm, noticing his labored breathing. Nainai sprang to her feet, panicking. "Is this how I'm going to meet my end? Sitting here peacefully and suddenly faced with disaster? I'm not telling him a story, and now he's about to pass out on me? Imagine them writing in the papers that it happened in my sitting room! No, take him outside-quickly! I don't want anyone saying he collapsed here. I don't even know where this is coming from-a young woman who just came to greet me! This isn't my fault; take him to his mother. He's not the one I'm telling stories!"
Meiling rushed out to grab his inhaler, almost colliding with Zhan as he entered the sitting room. Zhan pushed her aside, scowling. "Are you out of your mind?"
Almost in tears, Meiling stammered, "It's Yibo-he's having an asthma attack..." and ran off. Zhan hurried to Yibo, who was gasping for air. Nainai, on the verge of tears herself, said, "Take him out, Zhan. If he needs the hospital, go! I wasn't even talking to him; now he'll get me into trouble!"
Zhan shot Li Na a bewildered look before turning to Nainai, who added, "Please, just get him out of here! And what's with that crazy laughter? There's nothing funny about what I said!" Zhan helped Yibo out of the room, sitting him near a flower pot outside. "Relax," Zhan said firmly as he watched Yibo struggle for air. Meiling soon returned, handing Zhan the inhaler. He quickly gave it to Yibo, who took a few puffs. Gradually, Yibo's breathing steadied.
Leaning back against the flower pot, tears streaking his face, Yibo whispered hoarsely, "Gege, can I have some water?"
Meiling nodded and dashed off to fetch it. Zhan stayed by his side, studying him intently. After a while, Yibo looked up and met Zhan's gaze, his lips curling into a faint smile before he suddenly burst into laughter. Zhan frowned. "Are you okay?" he asked, baffled.
Through quiet chuckles, Yibo replied, "Gege, there's nothing wrong. It's just that Nainai mention everything to Li Na Jie today."
"What?" Zhan asked, his eyes widening.
Yibo laughed harder, tears streaming again. "She even told her about the time you were born, how you were weaned... and all the embarrassing details in between."
"What kind of details?" Zhan demanded, his tone sharp.
Still laughing, Yibo gasped, "She told her about your bloated belly, how you pee and poop standing up-she shared everything!"
Zhan's jaw dropped, and he stood there, frozen. Seeing his expression, Yibo laughed even harder. "Enough," Zhan muttered, his face hardening. "That's enough laughing."
Just as Zhan turned to leave, he spotted Nainai rushing toward them. He stopped in his tracks and waited for her. "Honestly, Nainai," he began sternly, "you need to stop. Always talking, talking, talking! You share my stories with everyone-whether it's appropriate or not. I don't like it. For years, you've been telling everyone about my birth. Leave my life alone. Stop telling people how I was born or raised. You don't know who you're talking to sometimes! Please, think before you speak."
Nainai gaped at him in shock. Meanwhile, Yibo stifled his laughter, quickly standing and try slipping away. Nainai shook her head, muttering, "Quentin gave birth to disaster...such a troublemaker. What now Yibo? You think he'll hit me because of what I told his girlfriend? I was only talking to the girl he's going to marry. Is it a crime to share his story? Why didn't I tell the security guards, then? Because it doesn't concern them! Everything in life connects somehow. Should I just sit there silently when a young girl comes to greet me?"
Yibo, pouting, chimed in, "Oh, Gege, she even told her you were born hungry, crying at the hospital, and that your small lips are from drinking too much milk. She said you did roam around, come back, and ask Shengjie for milk, and she'd just hand it over! And Seth ge? She said he was born looking like a kitten wrapped in a shawl, as if he wasn't even real."
Shaking his head, Zhan stormed off angrily. Yibo chased after him, laughing uncontrollably.
Nainai wiped tears from her eyes and muttered, "That boy wasn't born for my peace of mind. He must not be my blood, but aren't I love him enough?, then why always stirring up so much trouble in this house. How can he keep pitting people against each other like this? And now I'm the one who can't share stories? Fine, from now on, Yibo isn't allowed in my part of the house. I don't want their food anymore, he's banned. One child, and all he does is cause chaos. First, he got me into trouble with Zhan, and soon it'll be Seth. I'll wait for Zong to come back and make sure he puts his foot down. Quentin's child was nothing but trouble!"
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛