Yibo turned and glanced at Zhan, whose sleepy eyes were heavy with exhaustion. Studying him carefully, Yibo noticed something seemed off. From what little he knew about Zhan, even superficially, he could tell Zhan wouldn't willingly act this way if he were fully conscious. Letting out a soft sigh, Yibo checked the time; it was well past midnight. He knew calling Bei now wasn't an option. Closing his eyes momentarily, he turned his attention back to Zhan, taking in his flushed face glistening with sweat, despite the room's air-conditioned chill.
Unsure of what to do, as he was inexperienced with such situations, Yibo hesitated. His connection to Zhan was purely circumstantial, facilitated by Bei and their mutual acquaintances. Yet here he was, responsible for Zhan in his vulnerable state. Gently placing both hands on Zhan's shoulders, he turned him to face him fully. Yibo studied his face closely, noting the beads of sweat trickling down despite the cool temperature.
Feeling the heat emanating from Zhan's body, Yibo carefully pulled the blanket off him, revealing his thin frame. Without thinking too much, Yibo pulled Zhan closer, resting the smaller man against his chest. For the first time, he softly called his name. "Zhan-ge..."
There was no response. Zhan remained unresponsive, his body trembling slightly. Yibo called his name again, this time a little louder, but still, there was no reaction. Seeing no other way to help, Yibo leaned back against the bed and covered both of them with the blanket, enveloping Zhan in his warmth.
Zhan's scent was overwhelming, a faint yet intoxicating aroma that seemed to cling to him. It unsettled Yibo in a way he couldn't quite articulate. At first, Yibo tried to ignore it, closing his eyes to focus on calming himself, but the unfamiliar sensations made it nearly impossible. Restless and uncomfortable, exhaustion eventually claimed him, and he fell into a light, troubled sleep.
By 7:40 a.m., Zhan's eyes fluttered open, feeling heavy and sore. His head pounded painfully, and his vision was slightly blurry. Blinking a few times, he attempted to shake off the grogginess, his hand instinctively searching for his phone to check the time. When he couldn't find it, he sighed softly, sitting up slowly on the bed.
Once he could see clearly, Zhan's gaze landed on Yibo, sitting on the sofa across the room. Yibo was working on his laptop, dressed in casual loungewear - a sleeveless top, three-quarter pants, and soft Chanel slippers. His lean yet toned physique was hard to ignore, and the serene focus on his face only added to his commanding presence.
Zhan froze, his heart hammering in his chest. Panic surged through him as he quickly looked down at himself, realizing he was entirely bare beneath the blanket. Even the towel from the night before was gone. Horror gripped him as he scrambled to grab his sleep shirt from the chair by the mirror, his hands trembling as he put it on. Grabbing the towel, he wrapped it hastily around himself and stumbled out of bed, his body still weak.
Staggering over to Yibo, Zhan's voice was laced with anger and fear as he demanded, "What happened here? What are you doing here? When did you come in? How did you get in? When? How? And WHY?"
His voice grew louder with each word, his panic and fury evident. His mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the events of the night before. He couldn't remember anything beyond drinking that canned drink and losing control. The gaps in his memory terrified him. All he could hope was that nothing irreparable had occurred between them.
Yibo finally looked up, fixing his sharp gaze on Zhan. His expression was unreadable, his face cold and distant. He scrutinized Zhan, realizing that speaking to him now was pointless. Zhan didn't seem fully in control of himself, and the headache pounding in Yibo's own head made the entire situation even more unbearable.
Zhan, noticing the dismissive look in Yibo's eyes, grew even angrier. His temper flared as he grabbed the laptop from Yibo's lap, placing it aside with a loud thud. His red, tear-brimmed eyes locked on Yibo as he snapped, "Do I look like a fool to you? Do you think I'd entertain a conversation about this ridiculous marriage arrangement between us? Let me make this clear-I have not and will not agree to this so-called marriage. A husband and husband dynamic between us? Forget it! You have no rights over me because I don't even see you as a husband. If there's anything between us, it's only because you're Bei's younger brother."
Zhan's voice wavered slightly, betraying the storm of emotions within him. He pointed toward the door, his hand trembling. "Leave this room now. Please. Just leave. Nothing gives you the right to be close to me, and I'm not comfortable with this. Get out!" His voice cracked as tears threatened to spill, a mix of fear and frustration overwhelming him. His mind raced with the terrifying thought that something irreversible might have happened.
Yibo didn't immediately react. Instead, he stood, his calm demeanor unshaken, and grabbed Zhan's wrist firmly. He dragged him toward the door despite Zhan's struggling and protests. Once they reached it, Yibo paused, his piercing eyes meeting Zhan's. His voice was low but firm, laced with a quiet intensity. "Nothing happened here. Nothing will happen. Not now, not ever. There's nothing about you that could make me cross that line. And even if there were, trust me-it wouldn't be you. So stop this nonsense of imagining something happened. I don't desire someone who can't even tell the difference between a man and a real man."
Yibo's words struck like a dagger, leaving Zhan stunned. "As for this marriage, whether you accept it or not doesn't concern me. Get that into your thick head and leave me alone."
Zhan couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down his face as he turned away, retreating to the bathroom. Slamming the door shut, he let the floodgates open, sobbing uncontrollably. His heart ached with anguish, confusion, and a deep sense of helplessness.
"What kind of life is this? What have I gotten myself into? How can I make them understand that I don't want this marriage... any of it?"
For a long while, Zhan let the tears flow. When he finally emerged from the bathroom, his eyes were swollen, and his face bore the traces of his despair. He took a quick shower and dressed in the clothes he had worn earlier. Gathering some fresh clothes, he returned to the bathroom to change before stepping out again.
Yibo was still in the room, seated on the sofa, his focus entirely on his laptop. His calm, indifferent demeanor contrasted sharply with the turmoil raging in Zhan's heart. It was as though Zhan's presence didn't even register in Yibo's mind.
Zhan didn't bother addressing him again. Instead, he silently packed his belongings, carefully arranging everything into his suitcase. With his phone in hand, he approached the door, opened it, and walked out without a word.
Zhan headed straight to Hannah's room and knocked, his eyes still red and swollen. He waited, but no one answered. Frustrated, he fished his phone from his pocket and called her.
Hannah, still half-asleep, groaned as her phone rang. Groping for it on the nightstand, she glanced at the screen. Seeing Zhan's name, she let out a tired sigh of annoyance before answering, "Yes, Zhan? What is it?"
"Did you take your room card with you, or is it at the reception? Or with Bei?" Zhan asked flatly, his voice devoid of any warmth.
Hannah sat up immediately, her grogginess vanishing. If Zhan was looking for her room card, it could only mean one thing-Yibo had arrived. And as she suspected, they couldn't share a room. Suppressing her excitement, she replied, "The card's with me. Give me ten minutes-or better yet, six-and I'll come unlock the door for you. You're most welcome, Zhan."
Ending the call, Hannah grinned to herself. She quickly got out of bed, grabbed her bag and belongings, and snatched Sofia's car keys. She bolted out of the room, a spring in her step as she rushed toward the car, eager to help Zhan out of his predicament.
Zhan didn't want to call Bei because he didn't want to disturb her while she was with Kai Xu. Instead, he forced himself to stand outside Hannah's door, waiting, even though all he really wanted was to go home. However, leaving Bei now, when she might need him close, was something he couldn't bring himself to do. Still, the suffocating feeling of the city overwhelmed him.
Hannah arrived at the lodge without hesitation, wearing casual pajamas-a shirt and pants with a jacket thrown over. She parked her car and rushed to the reception. When she reached Zhan, she quickly opened the door and said, "Sorry for keeping you waiting. Come in, put your things down, and make yourself comfortable. You're welcome to stay here until we leave Sweden. I'd be happy to have you around."
Zhan didn't respond. He stepped inside, set his luggage down, and went straight to the bathroom. He knew staying with Hannah would be difficult due to their contrasting personalities and constant miscommunication. She had always been overwhelming, and her presence alone seemed to drain him. Yet, he chose to stay and suppress his discomfort.
After freshening up, Zhan changed into light sleepwear, sat on the sofa, and sipped a cup of hot tea. Once finished, he climbed onto the bed, covered himself, and closed his eyes.
▫️▪️🔸🔹
At 2 p.m., they were scheduled to visit the hospital, so Zhan got up a little before, dressed, and prepared to leave. Just as he was stepping out with his phone in hand, Bei arrived at the door to knock. They locked eyes, and Bei stared at him in surprise, noticing he was coming out of Hannah's room. She glanced back at Yibo's door, then turned to Zhan and asked directly, "What are you doing here, Zhan?"
Zhan met her gaze before looking away and replying curtly, "I moved here."
Bei gave him a puzzled look before glancing over at Hannah, who had reappeared, dressed impeccably in an outfit that demanded attention. Without a word, she took Zhan's hand and led him outside toward the cars waiting for them.
Before Zhan could say more, she stopped him, her tone a mix of frustration and concern. "Zhan, I didn't want to interfere in your situation because I care deeply about both of you. I don't want either of you to feel pressured or unhappy. But I have to be honest-this marriage isn't fair to you. I know you think marrying someone younger is beneath you, but that's no reason to hurt yourself. And now you're letting Hannah get close to your husband. Do you think she won't try to sway him? She's beautiful, and she knows how to manipulate situations. If you keep indulging in this chaos, neither Granny nor I can help you. You may not realize it now, but you're underestimating what marriage means."
Before Zhan could respond, his eyes caught Yibo approaching. Yibo was wearing fitted blue Escada jeans, a white Saint Laurent long-sleeve shirt, and Shiels Emerald sunglasses that accentuated his striking features. He exuded effortless charm, and Hannah was by his side, chatting animatedly about her recent outing with friends. Yibo appeared indifferent, his focus seemingly elsewhere, but he didn't interrupt her.
Zhan averted his gaze, swallowing his words. Bei noticed his reaction and sighed, trying to deflect the tension. "Let's go. They're waiting for us," she said.
Meanwhile, Yibo had already received a car and was leaving with Hannah. Without a glance in their direction, he drove away, leaving Zhan and Bei behind.
In the car, silence filled the space. Zhan stared out of the window, the city feeling heavier with each passing moment. Bei, on the other hand, struggled with her thoughts, consumed by her own worries. This trip to the hospital was crucial for her, and if the procedure didn't succeed, she knew her dreams of becoming a mother would end.
When they arrived, Dr. Kuo greeted them and led Bei to meet Dr. Kenneth on the fifth floor. Zhan stayed in the reception area, waiting anxiously. Hours passed before Bei finally emerged, just as Yibo arrived with Hannah still by his side, radiating the same carefree energy.
Zhan ignored their presence and focused on Bei. Taking her hand gently, he asked, "Are you okay, bestie?"
Bei looked at him with her weary, slightly reddened eyes. Unable to find the words, she hugged him tightly, releasing a deep sigh. She fought back her tears, silently seeking strength from her closest friend.
Kai Xu gently held Bei's hand, running his fingers through her hair with evident care and love, and said, "Honey, everything will be fine. You'll conceive safely and deliver in good health. We're all here for you-I'm here, Yibo is here, Zhan is here too, and even Dr. Kuo is nearby. You have all the support you need."
Slowly, she nodded, replying softly, "Thank you, hubby."
He smiled and added, "Let's go now. You need some rest."
Turning to Yibo, he said, "The procedure starts tomorrow."
When they returned to the lodge, Zhan had been reassuring Bei on the way back. Once they arrived, he went straight to Hannah's room, collapsing onto the bed with a deep sigh. His head throbbed slightly, so he ordered food, ate enough to satisfy his hunger, and then took a shower. He prepared for bed, lying down despite noticing that Hannah had not returned.
▫️▪️🔸🔹
The next day was spent mostly at the hospital, returning only late at night. Bei was admitted in preparation for the procedure, which was set to take place the following day.
For two days, their lives revolved around the hospital, and after a successful procedure, they hoped for positive results. Once Bei was discharged, she received extra care and attention from everyone, except Yibo. Though he didn't show it outwardly, Bei knew he cared for her the most. She also understood that it was because of Zhan's presence that Yibo kept his distance, avoiding any situation that might bring them together.
As Bei recovered, Dr. Kuo returned to his duties, leaving only the core group. Yibo had already booked a flight for the following day. That evening, Yibo took Bei out, returning late. Meanwhile, Zhan sat by the pool with Kai Xu, who was trying to console him about his arranged marriage.
Zhan sighed and looked at the water, speaking softly. "Kai Xu, I don't feel like my marriage is a real marriage. It doesn't feel like it ever will be. It was forced upon me, and I went through with it, but I don't see it becoming what people hope for. I can't even bring myself to see him as my husband... just the title alone feels suffocating."
Kai Xu closed his eyes and opened them slowly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "You say it was forced, but maybe, just maybe, it could become more if you let it. But your heart's refusal to accept it might be holding you back from seeing the possibility."
Before Zhan could reply, Bei's voice called out from behind. "Hubby, we're back."
Both men turned to see Bei and Yibo approaching. Zhan's eyes instinctively landed on Yibo, who was dressed sharply in clothes that accentuated his youthful charm and striking features. Feeling his gaze linger, Zhan quickly looked away. Yibo, however, walked directly over to Zhan and, without warning, leaned down and scooped him up effortlessly.
Startled, Zhan struggled to free himself, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. But Yibo held him firmly, his broad chest steady. Turning to Bei and Kai Xu, Yibo said coolly, "This friend of yours needs a little lesson-maybe it will snap him out of this absurd self-pity and the nonsense his suitors filled his head with."
Zhan's frustration boiled over, his attempts to break free futile. He couldn't even look at Bei out of sheer embarrassment, his eyes reddening with unshed tears of frustration. Kai Xu glanced at him sympathetically and said, "Goodnight, Zhan. I'll let Hannah know not to wait up for you."
Yibo's smirk, more mischievous than comforting, spread across his face as he carried Zhan away. Once they reached Yibo's room, he closed the door, setting Zhan down firmly on the plush bed.
Still seething, Zhan turned his face away, his anger palpable. Yibo knelt down, leaning over Zhan until their faces were mere inches apart. His scent, a mix of earthy cologne and something uniquely him, filled Zhan's senses, making his already frayed nerves tingle. Despite Zhan's fierce protests and attempts to push him away, Yibo didn't budge, his muscular frame unyielding. Yibo learned in and buried his face in Zhan's neck inhaling his aroma scent, even though he doesn't feel anything for Zhan... His smells is captivating.
Yibo tilted his head, his gaze focused on Zhan's flushed face. His hand moved to unbutton Zhan's shirt, revealing the pale, smooth skin of his chest. Zhan froze, his breath catching as Yibo's hand brushed over his skin, trailing from his chest to his toned stomach. Tears of frustration welled up in Zhan's eyes as he glared at Yibo, who merely watched him with an intensity that was both unsettling and captivating.
"You may hate me now," Yibo whispered, his voice low and deliberate. "But I have to show you that yes we're legally married and I'm your husband like you're mine, you'll realize that some lessons are worth learning the hard way Zhan-ge..."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛