Zhan opened his tear-filled, reddened eyes and weakly tried to push him away. Yibo caught his hand and pressed it against his chest, his piercing gaze locked on Zhan's face. Leaning closer, Yibo let out a warm breath near his ear, sending a shiver down Zhan's spine. In a low, commanding voice, he murmured, "Why do you keep saying this marriage isn't real Zhan-ge? If you can't feel it yet, you will soon enough."
Tears of frustration streamed down Zhan's face as he glared at Yibo, shaking his head in defiance. Yibo's intense gaze didn't waver as he reached for the white vest clinging to Zhan and ripped it apart with deliberate force. Zhan's eyes widened in panic as he shook his head violently, trying to resist. But Yibo loomed over him, his proximity rendering any attempt to escape futile. Zhan shut his eyes tightly, tears spilling over as he stammered in a trembling voice, "I hate you. I hate you for this… Let me go. This is wrong."
Yibo's gaze trailed down to Zhan's trembling lips. He raised a hand to gently trace Zhan's neck before sliding it down to his exposed abdomen, removing the shredded vest entirely and tossing it aside. Pulling Zhan closer, Yibo tilted his face upward, their eyes meeting in a tense moment before he pressed their lips together in a fiery kiss. His free hand tangled in Zhan's hair, holding him firmly in place.
Zhan squirmed, his body trembling as he tried to break free, but Yibo's hold was unrelenting. As Zhan's resistance faltered, Yibo pulled back slightly, only to tear his own shirt apart and discard it. His gaze dropped to Zhan's jeans, his intent clear. Overwhelmed, Zhan sobbed aloud, shaking his head in despair. His wide, tear-filled eyes pleaded with Yibo, his voice shaking, "Please… don't…"
Zhan's mind screamed for him to fight, but his body was too weak. Even as he tried to push Yibo away, his strength failed him. His arms fell limp, and he shook his head, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Yibo leaned back into Zhan's neck, breathing in his scent before lifting him slightly and capturing his lips again in another forceful kiss. His hands roamed over Zhan's trembling body, unbothered by Zhan's weak attempts to push him away.
Finally, when Yibo seemed satisfied, he released Zhan and climbed off the bed. Without sparing him another glance, Yibo walked into the bathroom and shut the door.
Left alone, Zhan lay motionless, his body trembling beneath the duvet he had barely managed to pull over himself. Tears streamed down his flushed face, his chest rising and falling in labored breaths. He felt hollow, his heart twisting painfully as he tried to process the overwhelming shame and despair consuming him.
Zhan curled into himself, hugging his trembling body as if he could still feel Yibo's hands and lips roaming over him. Fresh tears streamed down his face as he squeezed his eyes shut, clutching at his aching chest, his heart heavy with pain and anguish.
Yibo emerged from the bathroom, a white towel wrapped around his waist, his body glistening with water from his shower. Without sparing Zhan a glance, he walked to the mirror and began drying himself. Once done, he applied a touch of egg yolk cream to his skin, sprayed on his signature Creed Aventus cologne, and dressed in a black, short-sleeved sleep set. He poured himself a drink, taking slow sips while scrolling through his phone.
The numerous missed calls on his phone—including several from Hannah—barely caught his attention. Hannah had been searching for Zhan after not finding him in her room and, knowing Zhan's reserved nature, assumed he wouldn't have gone far. Yibo, however, dismissed the calls entirely, continuing his conversation with a high-ranking officer at work in flawless English that perfectly suited his sharp demeanor.
After ending the call, Yibo ignored the buzzing thoughts around him, slipped off his slippers, climbed into bed, and lay down to sleep.
Zhan waited until Yibo's breathing evened out before cautiously retrieving his shirt from the floor and wrapping it around himself. He grabbed his discarded jeans, quickly slipping them on without bothering to look for his vest. Quietly, he left the room, his body still trembling from the intensity of the night's events.
Knocking once on Hannah's door, Zhan barely waited before she opened it, looking startled and a little frantic. "Where have you been?!" Hannah demanded. "Where did you go? And why did it take you so long to come back? It's the middle of the night!"
But Zhan had no time or energy for explanations. His body ached, his mind was in turmoil, and he felt as if his very soul was battered. Without a word, he pushed past Hannah, went straight to the bathroom, and showered. Emerging minutes later, he slipped on a simple sleep set and collapsed onto the sofa, pulling a blanket over himself.
Hannah watched from the bed, biting her lip nervously. She couldn't sleep. Something about Zhan's silence felt deeply unsettling, her thoughts spiraling as she worried over where he had been all night. Part of her feared he might have been with Yibo—a thought that left her heart heavy with dread.
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The next morning, Yibo was scheduled to fly out at ten. By nine-thirty, he was ready, dressed sharply in a Roberto Cavalli brown straight trouser and shirt, his black Chanel sunglasses concealing his piercing eyes. With one hand in his pocket, he joined Bei, Kai Xu, and Hannah, who had been waiting for him downstairs. Hannah, already dressed and radiating elegance, had clearly been up early preparing to see him off.
Bei, standing by his side, looked at him with concern and longing. "Didi, promise me you'll come back soon… if only for the baby, alright?"
Yibo gave her a faint smile, nodding slightly. Then his gaze shifted briefly to Hannah, who was looking at him with a mixture of admiration and infatuation, her perfume lingering in the air. But it wasn't her who held his attention. Instead, Yibo glanced toward her closed door.
"Is he inside?" he asked quietly.
Hannah blinked in confusion, not fully grasping his question, as Yibo walked toward her room and knocked firmly on the door, leaving everyone watching in stunned silence.
Slowly, Zhan rose from the sofa, his face and swollen eyes betraying the weight of his emotions. He walked to the door, assuming it might be Hannah since she hadn't taken the key card when she left.
When he opened the door, his gaze collided with Yibo's intense eyes. Zhan immediately averted his face, his expression hardening into something cold and unwelcoming. He turned to leave, but Yibo grabbed his hand firmly, pulling something from his pocket and placing it in Zhan's palm.
Zhan glanced down quickly, only to see his torn vest Yibo had ripped apart. Fury lit up his features, and his eyes darted toward Bei, who stood nearby watching them with a mixture of curiosity and a faint, knowing smile. Mortified and angered, Zhan snatched his hand back and stormed into the room, slamming the door behind him.
Yibo said nothing and walked away, heading toward Kai Xu, who was waiting for him in the car. Bei followed him, a hint of amusement lingering on her lips as she occasionally glanced back at Hannah's room.
Hannah, however, stood frozen in shock, her mind spinning at the sight of Yibo pulling Zhan's vest from his pocket. After a moment, she mustered enough strength to move and followed them to the car, all the way to the airport, her steps heavy with confusion and unease.
After they returned, Zhan remained cold and distant, refusing to engage with anyone, especially when it came to anything involving Yibo. He ensured that Bei never brought up the topic, even in jest.
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Time passed, and the tension between them was palpable, but the group eventually completed their stay, and it was confirmed that Bei's pregnancy was progressing well.
Upon their return home, the family erupted in joy at the news of Bei's pregnancy. Granny and Grandma showered Bei with gifts, sending her all kinds of delicacies and traditional remedies to ensure her well-being. Wang Dad was equally overjoyed, though no one's happiness matched Granny's, who had long dreamed of Yibo fathering an heir. The idea that the first child in their family would come from Bei filled her with pride and love.
Despite her joy, Granny couldn't help but worry about Bei's health. Everyone remained cautiously optimistic, praying that this pregnancy would be a smooth and successful one.
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Zhan no longer spent long hours at the office due to Bei's condition. Bei felt more at ease knowing Zhan was nearby, especially as she was dealing with intense bouts of morning sickness. Her pregnancy had reached its fourth month, and her growing baby bump was becoming visible.
Today, Zhan couldn't make it to the office due to severe abdominal pain. While he often experienced cramps, this time the pain was far more intense than usual. Concerned by his worsening condition, Granny personally called Dr. Kuo to come over and check on him.
Granny had Fang prepare herbal tea with a touch of honey, which was brought to Zhan as he sat curled up on a chair next to her. Zhan accepted the cup, staring at it for a moment before taking a cautious sip. He winced at the unpleasant taste but continued to drink, closing his eyes as the warm liquid began to ease the pain slightly.
"Pass me a tissue," Zhan said to Bei, his voice weak.
Bei quickly handed him some tissues, her face full of concern. "Sorry, bestie," she said softly, watching as Zhan wiped his mouth and finished the tea.
Granny comforted Zhan as he finished the cup, and slowly, the pain began to subside. Feeling slightly better, Zhan stood up carefully and made his way to his room. He had been staying alone in the room since Bei's pregnancy symptoms had intensified. Due to her aversion to strong scents, including Zhan's signature fresh and mild fragrance, and the aromas from his shower gels and males products, they had decided to separate. Even though, Bei had moved into another room since Zhan's marriage, which had been redecorated according to her preferences, she sometimes spent most of her time in his room like she used to.
Zhan took a hot shower, which further eased his discomfort, and changed into loose, lightweight clothes. Feeling somewhat stronger, he lay down for a nap, waking only when Dr. Kuo arrived. Putting on a thick jacket to keep warm, Zhan walked slowly to the living room, where Dai Jie had just entered. She greeted Dr. Kuo warmly before excusing herself to join Granny for a chat in her room.
Dr. Kuo studied Zhan for a moment before asking, "What's wrong? How exactly are you feeling the abdominal pain?"
Zhan exhaled softly and replied, "This is the first time the pain has felt like this. I usually experience cramps, but this feels different, sharper."
Dr. Kuo nodded and asked a series of detailed questions. Zhan answered each one patiently, while Dr. Kuo carefully analyzed the information. After a moment of reflection, Dr. Kuo said, "The nature of your abdominal pain has changed. It has intensified and taken on a new dimension, likely due to suppressed physical urges. This suggests that you've never experienced or acted upon certain emotions or physical responses, which may have caused a form of stagnation."
The weight of Dr. Kuo's words hit Zhan like a ton of bricks. A wave of deep embarrassment washed over him, and he couldn't bring himself to look at the doctor. His gaze fell to the floor, and he only glanced up briefly when Dai Jie emerged from Granny's room. Realizing she had overheard the conversation, Dai Jie quickly diverted attention, saying, "I'll leave now—I need to help Mama prepare the perfume shipment for tomorrow. Dr. Kuo, see you later."
Without waiting for a response, Dai Jie left the room, knowing Zhan was too overwhelmed to respond.
Dr. Kuo, unfazed by the awkwardness, maintained his professional demeanor. "There's no need to feel uncomfortable," he said calmly. "As your doctor, I recommend drinking warm water regularly and, if possible, spending more time with your husband. It may help alleviate some of the tension."
Zhan said nothing, his face still flushed with embarrassment. Dr. Kuo's advice, though clinical and straightforward, left him with a lot to process.
Zhan understood the meaning behind Dr. Kuo's advice to stay close to his husband. However, without even looking at him, he simply said, "Thank you, Dr. Kuo," as he stood. Dr. Kuo rose as well, nodded a goodbye, and left. Zhan, clutching his heavy abdomen, headed to his room.
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Two days later, the abdominal pain subsided, and Zhan completely forgot about Dr. Kuo's advice. He resumed his usual activities without a care in the world.
That evening, Zhan returned late from work due to an important meeting. He was elated because his team had secured a long-awaited project. As he drove into the neighborhood, he noticed additional guards stationed at the gate of Wang's Mansion. A strange unease gripped him, and for the first time, he wondered if Yibo had returned.
His heart pounded as the possibility sank in. Brushing off the thought, he drove through the gate after the guards opened it for him, nodding in acknowledgment of their greetings.
After parking, Zhan stepped out of the car with his laptop bag, deliberately ignoring the extra vehicles parked outside—an obvious sign that Yibo had indeed returned. He headed straight to Granny's living room without sparing another glance.
In the living room, Bei was seated, holding a tissue. Zhan approached her, exhaling lightly, and said, "Mommy-to-be, how are you doing?"
Bei gave him a wide smile and replied, "Welcome back, Mr. Mommy-to-be in-law."
Zhan ignored the teasing nickname, having grown accustomed to Bei's antics. Instead, he headed straight to his room, saying, "Let me freshen up; today's been exhausting."
He closed the door behind him, placed his laptop bag on the table, and undressed. After dropping his clothes in the laundry basket, he wrapped a towel around his waist and headed to the bathroom. Once he was done showering, Zhan changed into something comfortable and checked his phone. To his surprise, he saw several missed calls from a number that seemed vaguely familiar. Curious but not overly concerned, he headed back to the living room, where Granny and Bei were chatting at the dining table.
"Mommy-to-be, what are you doing at the dining table?" Zhan teased, his voice playful as he approached them. "Doesn't your baby dislike eating there?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Zhan froze mid-step, his gaze locking onto a pair of striking eyes he hadn't noticed earlier. Yibo sat casually in one of the chairs, dressed in pristine white casual clothes that exuded luxury.
Zhan's breath hitched, and he averted his eyes to Granny before turning to Bei, who was watching him with a knowing smile. Without saying a word, Zhan turned to leave, but Yibo's commanding voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Come back and sit down Zhan-ge."
The sheer authority in Yibo's tone startled Zhan. Unaccustomed to such orders, he continued walking. But before he could take another step, he found himself swept off the floor and carried into his room. Yibo kicked the door shut behind them, placed Zhan on the floor, and pinned him against the wall, his intense gaze burning into Zhan's.
Yibo's deep voice broke the silence. "Next time you act like that, you'll be shocked by what I'll do to you in front of Granny or your dear friend Bei."
Zhan refused to meet Yibo's eyes, pushing weakly against his chest. Sensing this, Yibo smirked but maintained his composure. When Zhan finally looked up, their eyes locked. Zhan scowled slightly and looked away, his voice firm yet calm.
"I don't need rules or conditions dictating who I interact with or how I behave. So, can you leave now?"
Yibo's piercing gaze lingered a moment longer before he turned and left. The lingering scent of his cologne filled the room, leaving Zhan feeling unsettled and slightly annoyed.
Zhan stayed in his room until he was sure Yibo had left. Then, with his expression carefully neutral, he stepped out. Neither Granny nor Bei paid him any attention, and he quietly served himself a small portion of food. After eating, he joined Granny on the couch, pretending to focus on a Mexican drama while the others chatted.
By 10:40 PM, Zhan excused himself, heading to his room. By that time, Granny had retired to her room too, and Bei followed suit shortly after. The night ended quietly, leaving Zhan alone with his thoughts.
Author
In case you wonder, nothing happened between them. 🤗
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛