Cherreads

Chapter 9 - 9

Author : I changed Yong name to Hannah, I totally forgot she's not Chinese but American. She's the daughter of Mum Ella's elder sister. 🤭

When Zhan grew tired of sulking and realized it would only harm him further, he decided to let go of his frustrations and move forward. He took a refreshing shower, dressed in a comfortable shirt and trousers, and headed to the kitchen. There, he prepared a simple meal for himself and sat at the dining table to eat. Bei soon joined him, dressed in a long flowing gown, and said, "I'm hungry too. I'll join you."

Bei called out to Fang, "Bring me something to eat. I'm really hungry."

As they ate, Bei started a lively conversation, as was her habit. She was the one who always initiated discussions and lightened the mood, filling the silence with chatter. After finishing their meal, they moved to the living room, continuing their conversation. Granny stayed in her room that day, immersed in reading instead of joining them.

Later in the evening, Sarah arrived with some files for Zhan to review and sign. As Zhan focused on the paperwork, Sarah provided updates about pending office tasks. She wanted to inform him that Sen Nan had returned to work despite speculation that he would resign. However, seeing Bei there made her hesitate. Since Zhan was now considered part of their family, discussing another person didn't seem appropriate. She decided to save the news for when they were back at the office.

Zhan was engrossed in his work, appreciating the peace and quiet it provided. For him, work was the only activity that allowed him to concentrate without interruptions or noise. Bei, noticing his focus, left him and joined Fang in the kitchen, helping prepare dinner-a task she often enjoyed as she loved cooking.

After some time, Zhan completed the review of Sarah's documents. They had dinner together before Sarah prepared to leave. Zhan escorted her to the gate, handing her money to take a taxi home. Just as he turned to head back inside, he spotted Hannah approaching. Without a word, Zhan quickly walked past her, avoiding a conversation he wasn't in the mood for.

Once in his room, Zhan took a shower and prepared for bed. He could still hear Bei chatting in the other room, with Hannah lingering in the wing.

▫️▪️🔸🔹

The following day, Zhan continued working on some documents Sarah had brought. What started as occasional tasks gradually became a full workload, almost as if his office duties had shifted to his home. Sarah frequently moved between the office and Zhan's residence, delivering updates and files. Observing how focused and calm Zhan was while working, Granny mentioned to Wang Dad that Zhan seemed to find comfort in his work. Although she didn't particularly like the idea of Zhan returning to the office, she eventually agreed it might be for the best. However, Granny doubted Yibo would approve, given that Zhan was now his husband and the company practically belonged to him, as Yibo owned the majority of the shares.

To Granny's surprise, when Wang Dad brought up the matter with Yibo, he agreed without hesitation, saying Zhan should be allowed to return. Yibo seemed uninterested in discussing anything related to their marriage, focusing instead on his work and usual routine. The only time he remembered Zhan was during occasional calls with Granny, when the topic of their marriage was briefly mentioned.

For Zhan, returning to work became a way to move past the marriage entirely. With Wang Dad purchasing a brand-new car for him, he now worked with peace of mind and without worrying about family pressures or taunts regarding his marriage. Even Grandma and his Uncle, who once criticized his single status, now treated him with care and affection, attempting to coax him into staying in the marriage.

At the office, Zhan's prominence grew. His new status as Yibo's spouse and the knowledge that Yibo held 60% of the company's shares earned him respect from everyone. Even Sen Nan, whose behavior remained erratic, couldn't stir Zhan. Though Sen Nan tried to provoke him during meetings with comments or lingering stares, Zhan ignored him completely. His indifference wasn't new-Sen Nan had always known Zhan's nature of staying composed and unresponsive to drama.

In an attempt to prove himself and avoid appearing weak, Sen Nan began a relationship with Mimi, their receptionist. The relationship progressed rapidly, and soon the announcement of their wedding in two months was made. Sen Nan handled all the preparations on his own, as Zhan paid no attention to the matter. Even when Sarah mentioned it to him, Zhan showed no interest, let alone tried to understand what was happening.

Zhan was now thoroughly enjoying his life-free from stress and constraints. His routine was simple and fulfilling. Every morning, he would prepare for work, eat breakfast with Granny and Bei, and then visit Wang Dad to greet him before leaving for the office. After work, he'd return home, take a shower, have dinner, and either take a nap or spend the evening chatting with Granny and Bei. Occasionally, he'd visit his mother's home, where he would rest in her room or listen to their conversations. Although he wasn't much of a talker, he would respond with a few words or gestures while observing their interactions.

Over time, Zhan experienced noticeable changes in his life and health. His skin became radiant and well-rested, and his overall appearance improved significantly. He exuded a fresh and glowing aura, helped by the fact that he rarely spent time in the sun. He couldn't even recall the last time he went to an outdoor market or busy place. Most of his shopping was done online, with items delivered directly to his door. Occasionally, he and Bei would visit upscale malls for leisure shopping.

Zhan had all but forgotten about the marriage hanging over him, as his peaceful and self-directed life took priority. With no external pressures or reminders, he embraced his independence and lived comfortably.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kuo had arranged another appointment for Bei with Dr. Kenneth in Sweden. The date for her trip was approaching, and the anxiety weighed heavily on her, especially since she had been hopeful about having children. Since the early years of their marriage, medical consultations had confirmed that Bei couldn't conceive naturally and would require assisted reproductive procedures. This revelation devastated her, and she fell into a state of distress. After an unsuccessful embryo transfer two months earlier, she had endured another period of emotional turmoil. She eventually came to terms with the situation, praying and hoping for a positive outcome as they prepared for another attempt.

The upcoming procedure was both a source of hope and dread for Bei. Despite trying to suppress her fears, her unease was evident, and Granny felt deeply for her. With so few family members in their lineage, there were high expectations for Bei to have children to continue the family line. The thought that this responsibility might fall entirely on Yibo further increased her distress.

Bei's emotional state affected everyone in the household. Even Zhan, who had taken time off work to support her, stayed by her side throughout. Bei's anxiety worsened to the point where she developed abdominal pain, which briefly incapacitated her. This heightened the family's concern as the date of the trip to Sweden approached. With only two days left before departure, Zhan decided to accompany Bei to provide moral support. They were joined by Kai Xu, who would meet them in Sweden, and Hannah, who insisted on going after hearing that Yibo might travel from Hawaii to Sweden.

Despite her struggles, Bei managed to regain some composure, allowing them to make the trip. Accompanied by Dr. Kuo, who was overseeing her case, they traveled together with cautious hope for a positive outcome.

▫️▪️🔸🔹

When their flight landed, it was raining heavily. Kai Xu arrived with a car to pick them up, and they headed straight to the Copperhill Mountain Lodge, where Yibo typically stayed whenever he was in Sweden. Upon their arrival, they collected the room cards for their accommodations and went to their respective rooms.

Dr. Kuo stayed elsewhere, at his usual lodging, as he frequently traveled to the country. Kai Xu and his wife stayed on the first floor, followed by Hannah's room, while Yibo's room was the last one down the hall. Kai Xu handed Zhan the room card for Yibo's room without giving it much thought, assuming they could share the space comfortably.

Since they arrived at dawn, it was nearly 9 a.m. by the time they settled into their rooms. Zhan unpacked his luggage into the wardrobe, tossed his travel clothes into the laundry basket, and went to the bathroom to take a hot shower. The warm water soothed him, melting away the travel fatigue. After thoroughly washing up, he stepped out, wrapped in a towel, and began drying himself. It was only then that he took a moment to truly observe the room. He admired its elegant design-everything was neatly arranged, with the pristine white theme adding to its charm.

Zhan opened his small suitcase, took out his skincare products, and placed them on the dresser. He grabbed a simple set of pajamas, applied lotion lightly, and changed into his sleepwear. Exhausted from the long journey, he climbed into bed, pulled the duvet over himself, and quickly fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. The rhythmic sound of the rain outside added to his relaxation, and he didn't wake until 2 p.m., startled only by a knock on the door.

"Your lunch is here, Sir," came a voice from outside.

Rising groggily, Zhan slipped on the soft slippers provided in the room and went to answer the door, still puzzled by the use of "Sir." He opened the door to find a waitress who looked slightly surprised, perhaps expecting someone else. After all, the room had been booked under Wang Yibo's name. Without much interaction, she wheeled in the cart, setting up the food and drinks on the dining table. Among the beverages were energy drinks that were a staple for Yibo during his stays. Once she finished, she left quietly, leaving Zhan to wonder briefly about her expression before brushing it off.

Zhan brushed his teeth, inserted the SIM card Kai Xu had purchased for him before their trip, and activated it. While the others had been prepared with international SIM cards, Zhan had been the exception, so this was new to him. He sent Kai Xu a message, who replied that he and Bei had gone out, while Hannah was visiting friends and would return later.

Zhan first called Granny, spending some time chatting with her, before calling his mother. After their conversations, he sat at the dining table to inspect the food. It wasn't entirely to his taste, but he ate a little and drank one of the energy drinks without paying much attention to it. He then returned to the bed, scrolling through his messages for a while, until the room service came back to clean up. They removed the leftovers, placed the remaining drinks in the fridge, and tidied up.

As evening fell, Bei and Kai Xu returned, while Hannah appeared to be staying out for the night. Zhan had already gone to bed early, but they spoke briefly on the phone due to a sudden abdominal pain that had been bothering him since the evening. Bei, concerned after hearing the strain in Zhan's voice, came to check on him. Despite his attempt to downplay the situation as mere cramps, Bei was still worried but left after making sure he was okay, taking his room card with her in case she needed to check on him later.

By night, the pain had worsened considerably. Zhan could hardly bear it. Summoning what little strength he had, he forced himself to take another hot shower, hoping it would relieve the pain. The warmth provided some comfort as he massaged his abdomen, but the effort left him completely drained. Barely managing to return to the bed, he collapsed onto it, still in his towel, unable to even put on his sleepwear. He curled up tightly under the duvet, his eyes squeezed shut against the pain.

At 12:00 midnight, Yibo's flight landed. Without waiting for a pickup, he hailed a taxi and headed straight to the lodge. Upon arrival, the receptionist informed him that Mr. Kai Xu had already collected his room card. Yibo didn't respond, merely nodding as he moved past the staff, who trailed him with his luggage.

The section of the lodge where they were staying was an exclusive area, primarily reserved for couples due to its serene atmosphere and elegant design. Yibo immediately took out his phone and texted Kai Xu, letting him know he was on his way to retrieve his room card.

Fortunately, the card was with Bei at the time. They crossed paths in the hallway, where Bei handed the card to Yibo, greeting him warmly. After a brief exchange, they parted ways. Despite not feeling overly fatigued due to the relatively short travel distance, Yibo went directly to his room.

Using the card, he unlocked the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him. He turned on the dim lighting and set his phone down, a faint frown appearing on his face as he caught the lingering scent of perfume-"Possesse Me"-that seemed to envelop the room.

Irritated by the overpowering fragrance, Yibo walked to the mini-fridge, opened it, and noticed that his usual energy drinks had already been stocked. He grabbed one, downed it in a few gulps, and headed to the bathroom. After stripping down, he took a hot shower and brushed his teeth.

As he exited the bathroom, clad in a white set of Fred Segal pajamas, Yibo hadn't noticed the white underwear hanging on the towel rack. He switched off his phone, approached the bed, and pulled back the covers, intending to sleep while mentally noting that Bei must have entered his room earlier to messed everything up. He resolved to request a room change in the morning-the scent and misplaced items were too much for his preference.

However, as he lay down, his body brushed against something warm. Startled, Yibo sat up, pulling the duvet aside. He reached for the bedside lamp and switched it on, his gaze landing on bare, pale thighs. It was Zhan, lying curled up with a towel loosely draped over his body, which had mostly slipped off, leaving little to the imagination.

Yibo quickly averted his gaze, focusing instead on Zhan's peaceful yet strained face. It was clear he was sleeping but not comfortably-his expression betrayed the exhaustion and pain he was enduring.

Annoyed and confused, Yibo slid off the bed and grabbed his phone, immediately texting Bei: "Who's in my room?"

Bei read the message repeatedly, baffled by Yibo's question. Her frustration mounted as she typed a curt response: "It's the person you saw. Do you have another husband besides him?"

Yibo sighed heavily, irritated by her reply. Shaking his head, he turned off his phone, ran a hand through his hair, and groaned softly. He couldn't bring himself to sleep on the couch, but the thought of sharing the bed with someone else, let alone Zhan, made him uneasy.

Finally, Yibo climbed back into bed, settling on the far edge and pulling the duvet over Zhan to cover him properly. He turned off the lamp and lay still, closing his eyes. Sleep eluded him as he tried to process the situation.

In the middle of the night, Yibo awoke to find Zhan pressed against him, his entire body radiating heat. Zhan's breath was warm against Yibo's neck, causing a shiver to run down his spine. As Yibo reached out cautiously to move him, his hand landed on Zhan's smooth stomach, which was clearly cramping.

The instant Yibo's hand touched Zhan's skin, Zhan let out a soft, shaky sigh of relief, his warm breath brushing against Yibo's neck again. Yibo froze, swallowing hard as his own breathing hitched. There was an unspoken tension in the air, and Yibo withdrew his hand, shutting his eyes tightly, trying to ignore the warmth emanating from Zhan's body that was making him feel oddly unsettled.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛

More Chapters