Zhan finished parking in the compound, turned off the engine, stepped out, and locked the gate before heading back. Ning Li had already gotten out of the car, stretching as she let out a relieved sigh.
"I feel so much more at ease now, dear. I actually prefer it here compared to Beijing. Back then, I didn't like the city at all, but now... I think I do."
Zhan didn't respond. He headed straight toward the entrance of the house, carrying the takeaway meals he'd picked up on the way.
"But wait, what about the groceries? And my bag's still in the trunk!" she called after him.
Without turning, he replied flatly, "We'll bring them in later."
She followed behind him as they entered the house. He dropped the food bags onto the table and collapsed onto the couch, leaning back tiredly. Long drives were never his thing, and he was completely worn out. Ning Li, smiling gently, stood behind the couch and began massaging his shoulders.
"Let me go upstairs and run you a bath, baby. I know you're exhausted. That's why I offered to drive, but you refused..." she said softly.
Zhan didn't respond, just listening as she talked. She removed her scarf and placed it on the couch, getting ready to head upstairs. But he glanced at her and said, "No, don't bother. I'm not taking a bath right now."
She turned to him, puzzled. "Oh really? But you'll feel so much better afterward, dear. Anyway, come upstairs and let me give you a massage, okay?" she added playfully.
He didn't even look her way as he stood up and grabbed one of the takeaway bags. "I'm fine. I just need rest," he muttered.
Ning Li tilted her head. "Okay, then come lie down, my dear…"
Again, he said nothing and headed toward the stairs. When he noticed she was following him, he stopped midway and turned to look at her. "Didn't you say you were hungry? The food's still downstairs."
She shrugged. "That apple I ate in the car filled me up. I need rest too—my whole body aches."
He didn't reply and kept walking. She trailed behind him until they reached the corridor where four bedrooms lined up. Stopping at the door of the room he usually used, he noticed she was heading that way too. Glancing at her, he said, "Use another room, Ning Li."
She stared at him in disbelief. "Why? I've never used any other room here except the one we share. You've never told me to sleep elsewhere."
He turned to face her fully. "Well, this time we're not sharing. Pick any other room. This one's the master bedroom."
Ning Li gave him a long look from head to toe before asking, "What's wrong with you, Zhan? Why are you acting like this? Since when have we ever slept separately? Is this another one of your moods?"
Running a hand through his hair, Zhan mumbled, "Please, Ning Li, I'm tired. I don't want to argue. I told you I need rest. If you won't choose another room, then just stay in the sitting room."
With that, he entered the room and locked the door behind him.
Ning Li stood frozen, staring at the locked door in shock. She remained there for over a minute, baffled by Zhan's sudden coldness. Was this a new way for him to treat her? Well then, he was only making things worse for himself—she wasn't going to take it lying down. Furious and fuming, she stomped back downstairs, her heart burning with frustration.
Meanwhile, Zhan set down the food bag he had brought upstairs and looked at Yibo, who was still asleep. He walked over and sat beside him, gently placing a hand on his forehead. His temperature was normal.
Yibo's eyes slowly fluttered open, meeting Zhan's gaze for a brief moment before he turned away, shifting and giving him his back.
"So you're finally awake?" Zhan asked softly.
Yibo didn't answer, his lips pouting.
"Get up and eat something," Zhan told him.
"I don't want to," Yibo muttered, frowning.
Zhan didn't say anything more. He reached out and pulled Yibo into a sitting position, already anticipating his usual reaction. Sure enough, Yibo pouted harder, crossing his arms and glaring at him as if on the verge of tears.
"I want to go back to Mu Qin," he whispered.
Zhan sighed, lifted him up, and carried him to the carpet, his expression stern. "Here's your food. Eat."
Seeing Zhan's serious expression, Yibo reluctantly reached for the bag, tears pooling in his eyes. He opened the takeaway box of rice and chicken Zhan had bought, along with a bottle of water and a drink. He picked up the spoon and slowly started eating.
Zhan just sat silently, watching him.
After about five minutes, Zhan cracked a small smile and lay down on the bed, eyes closed. When he eventually opened them again to check, he saw Yibo devouring the chicken with intense focus, like it was the most important meal of his life. The moment their eyes met, Yibo quickly turned his back to him and pulled the meat from his mouth.
Zhan chuckled softly and sat up. "Who were you saving that piece of chicken for?" he teased.
Yibo pouted and said, "I don't want to eat."
Zhan just stared at the way he was pouting, saying nothing.
🔸▪️▫️🔹
Nainai sat on the couch in her sitting room, carefully packing her well-folded clothes into a new bag that the gatekeeper had just bought for her. The door opened, and a voice called out in greeting.
She looked up, responded to the greeting, and set the clothes aside. "Welcome, AJi," she said.
AJi removed her scarf, placed her handbag down, and asked, "And where are you going with that bag?"
Nainai clicked her tongue and replied, "I'm packing my things, AJi. I don't have children who care to show me love anymore, so I've decided to just move to Hanba's house and stay there. Whatever I face there, at least I know he's not my blood and won't break my heart the same way."
AJi sat down, concerned. "What did your children do to you now?"
Nainai sighed deeply. "AJi, what wrong did I do by asking them to find Zhan for me, to bring him back so I can hear his reason for running off with my grandson like some thief in the night? No marriage gifts, no groom price, no explanation—he just up and took the boy. What does that even mean? They gave him my grandson like he was a gift! Even Zong, his own father, wouldn't have gotten away with that, let alone him with his little pride."
"My grandson isn't something to be handed out like charity. That boy...Zhan...just walked into my house while I was cleaning the bathroom and kidnapped Yibo in the middle of the night! And why? Is he smoking weed or on drugs? So now, is his weed addiction now my punishment to carry?"
"This is pure disrespect. And now they want me to keep quiet and act like nothing happened? Like he didn't just kidnapped my grandson and ruin him? Look at Beiting, look at Zong, look at Quentin—they're all worthless! Not one of them took a firm stand against what Zhan did. You'd think Zhan created Yibo the way they're protecting him. I know they all know where he took Yibo. I even went to his house earlier today. The security guard told me no one lives there anymore. I didn't believe it, so I went inside, searched the entire place—empty. No sign of anyone. So I came back, asked for a bag, and started packing my things."
"These children have decided I'm nothing now, just some crazy old woman. But let's compare...between Yibo and Zhan, who's the real blessing here? I've never even seen Zhan buy Yibo a single gift. Not once. Unlike that kind-hearted Sen Wen, who always brings something for him. And that's the one I should call my grandson's partner?"
"No way. Zhan must bring Yibo back. He's not staying with him."
AJi shook her head slowly. "Zhan... has he lost his mind? Where did he take someone's child without fulfilling his marriage responsibilities? He just took him like that and abandoned every sense of right and wrong, what if he in pregnanted him?"
Nainai burst into tears. "Yibo… he's still just a child, AJi. He doesn't even have the strength to deal with all this. And Zhan didn't just hurt him—he's ruined his future. Someone should sit Zhan down and teach him what he's done wrong. What harm would it have done to let Yibo grow a little older, to wait until he was stronger?"
AJi said, "Now just calm down and put those things back. You're not going anywhere…"
Nainai shook her head. "No, I'm going to Hanba's house. It's better I go and let them walk all over me there—it won't hurt me as much. I have no ties with them. I only know that their mother was a second wife to my father, blind and deaf to everything until the day she died."
AJi replied, "Shuyi, I'm telling you, there's no talk of leaving. In fact, I brought something quite shocking…"
Nainai fell silent, watching her intently.
AJi continued, "Well, turns out a terrible charm was used on Sen Wen, and because of it, he called off the wedding with Yibo…"
Nainai stared at her, hands folded under her chin. "And you're saying someone cursed him, AJi?"
AJi shrugged. "Well, they didn't mention a name, but whoever it was lives under this very roof. They eat here, sleep here. But who do you suspect, Shuyi?"
Nainai muttered, "Good grief… Yichen, Zong's wife of course."
AJi nodded. "She's who I thought of too."
Nainai blinked, stunned. Then she said, "Heavens… it's karma turning back on its sender. Think about it—wasn't she the one most shaken when Zhan and Yibo's marriage was announced?"
AJi said, "Exactly. It's like watching a monkey try to mimic a person. I saw her just now as I was coming in and she was leaving. She looked thinner, worn out, and strangely confused—and she was wearing mismatched shoes."
Nainai nodded with a sly smile. "Well, thank goodness the truth is finally coming out. But you know what's funny? In the eyes of Zong, Quentin, and Beiting, I'm the only one always causing trouble in this house. I'm the so-called troublemaker and scoundrel."
AJi responded, "Let's not even waste time on what they say. We need to stay alert and protect that boy Yibo from harm…"
Nainai said, "You know all this, yet the first person who'll come scolding me will be Quentin. Zong won't say a word, but I know the look he gives me—like I'm some burden. And Beiting? She'll just sit there, staring at me. In the end, it's Quentin who'll tell me to drop it, claiming it's none of my business. But AJi, what should I do now?"
"Well," Nainai continued, "Since Yichen dared to curse my grandson out of jealousy and bitterness, let her deal with the consequences. Her time in this house is running out. Watch me—I alone can handle her. She'll wish she didn't do any of this. As for breaking my grandkids marriage? Over my dead body. If she knew the marriage would come back around to Zhan, she'd have found a way to stop it. But if she thinks she can break them apart, she'll die trying…"
AJi nodded. "Exactly. And mind you, she hasn't stopped trying. I've been told she's still working hard to destroy this marriage. I'm not even sure the reason she went out today wasn't to visit her witch doctor. We need to keep Yibo far away from her schemes. I swear, as long as we're alive, we'll make her confess everything with her own mouth. And don't even think about mentioning this to Beiting. Those children of yours are too exposed already. Let's keep what we know between us."
Nainai said, "Oh, I won't tell a soul. All I want is for them to give me enough money to shield my grandson from her evil. Then in front of Quentin, the truth about Yichen will come out—he's always blind to her faults."
AJi asked, "And how's Sen Wen doing now?"
Nainai's expression turned sad. "Ah, Zong said he was just discharged from the hospital. I'm thinking of getting him a soft drink or a few tablets and going to check on him. Honestly, Yibo was never really his... I will never had a chance to enjoy grilled chicken or happiness with him," she said, dabbing her eyes.
AJi said, "Then go and buy it with your own money."
Nainai's voice trembled. "Let I be, AJi. Who knows what tomorrow holds? As for me and Sen Wen, we're tied by fate. I'll keep visiting him at home whether I have a chance…"
🔸▪️▫️🔹
Quentin stood by his car at the front gate of Wei Po's house. He had been waiting for Yuting more than ten minutes. When he heard the gate open, he looked up just as she stepped out. She greeted him politely.
Looking at her, he said, "This isn't like you, Yuting. This isn't the Yuting I know. Why are you acting this way, please?"
She didn't reply.
He continued, "Even if not for me, you should at least consider the barrister. Don't forget—it's his blood that married Yibo. And don't forget, he's my younger brother. That makes his son my son, too. And besides all that, Zhan doesn't deserve this treatment from you. Have you forgotten who he is?"
Yuting's eyes welled up with tears. Shaking her head, she responded, "I'm thinking about my son's future. I don't know what kind of life he'll have with a mother-in-law who clearly despises him. Even though you pretend not to see it, I know Yichen doesn't like him. Maybe you'll only believe it the day you see it yourself. I know what Yibo can endure and what he can't. This is too much for him, especially in his condition..."
Quentin exhaled deeply. "So you don't believe in fate anymore, is that it? Come on, Yuting. Where's your faith? All you need to do is wish your son peace and a happy marriage. Now please, go inside and say goodbye to your mother. We're heading home."
She shook her head. "No, you go. I'll come back tomorrow."
"You're sure?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Alright then. We'll talk later on the phone."
With that, he said goodbye and got into the car, while she went back inside.
Meanwhile, in the large sitting room of Sen Wen's mother, she sat with her close friend, Batula.
Batula asked, "Who do you really think could have done such a thing, Mochen?"
Sen Wen's mother, Mochen, gave a tight-lipped smile, nodding slowly. "I know exactly who she is. Since they say she's from the boy's family, I already had my suspicions. Now I'm sure. And one day, she'll have to live with the guilt of breaking my son's heart."
She stood up and walked to the window, her face stony.
Batula said with quiet shock, "No doubt. But whoever she is, she doesn't deserves pity now. Of all people, she chose Sen Wen to cast her spell on? Why didn't she keep her schemes within her own household? That was the biggest mistake of her life. If she knew the outcome, she never would've started it."
Mochen only gave a faint smile.
The door to the room opened, and both women turned to look. Sen Wen walked in.
His mother stared at him—he had visibly lost weight. He lowered his gaze and softly greeted her friend, then sat down quietly on the couch.
"Mum," he said, "I'm thinking of going to the UK..."
She cut him off. "Go there and do what, Sen Wen?"
"I just need to rest, Mum..." he answered gently.
She remained silent, just staring at him. Then suddenly, tears filled her eyes as she turned away, looking out the window.
▪️🔸▫️🔹
Zhan sat up abruptly when his phone started ringing. He glanced at the screen—it was a call from his mother. His heart sank. He stared at the screen until the call ended, then it rang again. He couldn't bring himself to ignore it this time, so he answered quietly without saying a word.
"Zhan?" her voice came through.
Lowering his voice, he replied, "Yes… How are you, Mom?"
"Where are you?" she asked.
He hesitated for a moment, then answered, "At home."
"Which home?" she pressed.
Again, silence.
Her voice came sharper now, cutting into his thoughts. "I asked you a question. Are you going to answer me?"
Softly, he said, "My home, Mom."
Her tone turned cold and firm. "Which home, exactly?"
"Tianjin."
"Alright," she said flatly, and hung up without another word.
Zhan stared at the phone in his hand, heart pounding. Yibo was still sitting on the carpet, the takeaway box of rice in front of him untouched. He'd barely stirred it around before leaving it. Even the chicken, which Zhan had cought him eating earlier, was left unfinished.
Zhan got off the bed, walked to the door, and stepped out.
Meanwhile, Ning Li was in the sitting room, talking softly on the phone with her mother. "Making her insane like that, Mom? No, that's not right… If we do it that way, she won't feel the weight of her actions. We should try something else."
She paused to listen to her mother, then continued, "Mom, I already told you—there's no marriage anymore. Ever since we came here, he hasn't said a single word about it. They called it off the moment they saw he wasn't interested…"
She heard footsteps on the stairs and quickly ended the call. Sitting up straight, she crossed her arms and fixed her expression, pretending to be focused on the TV.
Zhan walked into the sitting room, his eyes falling on the untouched bag of food. Picking it up, he asked, "Aren't you eating?"
She acted like she didn't hear him.
He turned and went into the kitchen, rinsed a plate, and came back. As he re-entered the room, his eyes met Yibo's, who was descending the stairs slowly, his gaze shifting between Zhan and Ning Li, who was still seated, eyes glued to the TV.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛