Hannah stood up herself and served Yibo his food before anyone else could. She carefully prepared his plate with just the right portions, knowing exactly what he liked. Alongside the meal, she poured him a glass of lemon juice with honey—his second favorite drink after Red Bull Blue Edition Energy Drink, which was the only energy drink he consumed.
Once she had served Yibo, she sat down and served herself a small portion, more out of courtesy than hunger, as she had already eaten earlier. Her presence at the table was because of Yibo. Sitting there with Zhan had become increasingly frustrating for her, sparking jealousy and resentment that she struggled to hide. If not for Mum Ella's insistence, she wouldn't have been able to tolerate being in the same space as Zhan.
Zhan ate slowly, his movements calm and measured, though it was clear his appetite had diminished. He kept his focus on his plate, avoiding any eye contact with the others except Granny, who watched him intently with concern. His composed demeanor, while a part of his nature, seemed more pronounced since his recent trip, which had clearly left him shaken.
"Zhan, how's your health now?" Granny asked gently, her gaze soft but probing.
"I asked Fang to prepare ginger tea with honey for you. That cold you caught on your trip seems to have affected you more than you're letting on. Dr. Kuo will be coming tomorrow to check on you," she added.
Zhan lifted his eyes to meet Granny's, carefully placing his spoon down before responding, "I'm feeling better now, Granny. It's just the cold, nothing serious. There's no need for Dr. Kuo to come. I'll drink the ginger tea tonight, and I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow."
"I'll feel more at ease if Dr. Kuo checks on you," Granny said firmly before returning to her meal, leaving no room for argument.
Zhan remained silent, picking up his spoon and continuing to eat. He felt Bei's gaze lingering on him but ignored her entirely, pretending not to notice.
Breaking the silence, Hannah chimed in, "Zhan, where exactly did you go to catch such a bad cold?"
This was the first time Yibo, who had been silently eating, looked up. Until then, he hadn't acknowledged any of the conversation around him. Hannah's question seemed to pique his interest as his eyes briefly rested on Zhan.
Zhan, feeling Yibo's gaze, tightened his composure, continuing to eat and ignoring Hannah's question entirely. His dismissal only deepened Hannah's resentment, though she quickly turned her attention to Yibo, about to speak.
Before she could, Yibo placed his napkin on the table, signaling he had finished eating. Rising gracefully, he slid his hands into the pockets of his trousers and slowly made his way to Zhan's side. Leaning down, he placed a soft, deliberate kiss on Zhan's right cheek, startling everyone at the table.
His lips brushed close to Zhan's ear as he whispered in a voice low and velvety, "Make sure you drink that ginger tea. I wouldn't want the cold to worsen."
Yibo raised his head and, with an air of indifference, said directly to Granny and the others, "Goodnight, sleep well." He then turned and left the room without another glance.
Zhan froze in his seat, the food in his mouth threatening to come back up due to the shock of the moment. A coughing fit overcame him, and Bei quickly grabbed a glass of water, handing it to him. With difficulty, Zhan managed to swallow the water and then took a tissue to wipe his mouth, his eyes reddened from the strain and sheer embarrassment caused by Yibo's dismissive behavior.
Slowly, Zhan glanced toward Granny, who remained seated, calmly eating as though nothing had happened. She seemed entirely unfazed, which wasn't surprising—Granny had long grown accustomed to Yibo's blunt nature and his lack of regard for social niceties.
Hannah, however, was seething. Unable to contain her frustration, she intentionally knocked over a glass of juice, spilling its contents onto Zhan. Everyone turned to look at her, Zhan included, who stood up abruptly as the cold juice seeped into his clothes.
Feigning innocence, Hannah said, "Oh, I'm sorry! It wasn't intentional. My hand slipped, and the cup just fell. I'm really sorry."
Bei, busy helping Zhan wipe the juice off his clothes, snapped at her, "Hannah, he's already dealing with a cold, and now you're making it worse by soaking him in juice? Please, be more careful in the future!"
Granny, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke in a firm tone. "Hannah, this behavior is unacceptable. Stop with the foolishness and start acting responsibly."
Granny's authoritative voice made Hannah freeze for a moment before she recovered, her face darkening with resentment. She glared at Granny and then at Zhan, her eyes burning with suppressed anger and jealousy. Without another word, she stormed out of the sitting room, muttering under her breath, "Hypocrites, all of them."
Zhan excused himself and went to his room, where he immediately changed out of his wet clothes and threw them into the laundry basket. Wrapping himself in a towel, he headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. After rinsing off, he let the warm water soothe his chilled skin before stepping out to dress in a thick, comfortable pair of pajamas.
Feeling somewhat better, Zhan made his way to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of ginger tea that had been prepared for him earlier. As he stepped back into the sitting room, a faint whiff of Tom Ford cologne caught his attention. The distinctive scent belonged to none other than Yibo. He hesitated for a moment, but not seeing anyone around, he decided to continue on his way to Granny's room to say goodnight.
Entering Granny's room, tea in hand, Zhan paused when he saw Yibo seated beside Granny on the couch, holding her hand gently. Bei was lying on the bed, facing them, clearly engaged in their conversation. The scene caught him off guard, and for a moment, he felt out of place in their gathering.
Zhan turned his face away from Yibo's gaze and softly said to Bei, "I'm going to bed now. Goodnight."
Without waiting for Granny's response or her inquiry about his health, Zhan walked out of the room.
He returned to his bedroom and sat down quietly, sipping the steaming ginger tea. By the time he finished it, warmth spread through his entire body, making him feel as though he were standing under the blazing sun. Feeling uncomfortably hot, he got up and changed out of his thick pajamas into a lighter sleepwear. He increased the air conditioning, and finally, his body started to cool down and relax. Crawling into bed, he switched off the lights and pulled the blanket over himself, determined to sleep early, especially since his usual conversation companions had their own company tonight.
It didn't take long for Zhan to drift off to sleep.
🔹▪️▫️🔸
At 10:45 PM, Yibo entered Zhan's room. He walked silently to the side of the bed, stopping to observe Zhan as he lay asleep. His gaze lingered, moving from Zhan's peaceful face to his slightly parted lips, then down to where the collar of his sleepwear revealed the faint line of his neck.
Yibo pulled his hands out of his pockets and sat down on the edge of the bed. Gently, he adjusted the blanket that had shifted slightly, his attention briefly caught by the deep red color of Zhan's sleepwear. Though it wasn't transparent, the snug fit hugged his frame in a way that drew Yibo's eyes for a moment longer than he intended.
Closing his eyes briefly, Yibo took a deep breath before opening them again. He reached out to softly touch Zhan's face, which still bore faint traces of the tears and fever he'd endured earlier.
With his flight scheduled for 7:00 AM the next day, Yibo had planned to leave without a second thought. But finding Zhan peacefully asleep changed his mind. Instead, he climbed into the bed beside him, pulling Zhan gently into his arms and adjusting the blanket to cover them both. Holding him close, Yibo let himself relax, savoring the quiet warmth of the moment.
At the crack of dawn, Zhan's bedside alarm jolted him awake. As he slowly opened his eyes and reached out to turn it off, he froze, feeling someone lying beside him. His heart pounded fiercely in his chest as he quickly turned to the side and switched on the dim light.
There, Yibo lay beside him, opening his eyes lazily and meeting Zhan's startled gaze with a calm expression that only made Zhan's anxiety worse.
Zhan tried to push himself away with force, but Yibo shook his head slowly and pulled him back into his arms. In a soft, groggy voice, Yibo muttered, "I don't like waking up to noise; it gives me a headache. Just stay still."
Furious, shocked, and doing his best to keep his voice low to avoid causing a scene, Zhan whispered sharply, "What are you doing here? What is this? You've crossed the line—this is too much!"
Yibo fully opened his eyes, now watching Zhan intently. Without letting go, he ran his hand lazily down Zhan's back and murmured, "Your mouth really doesn't know how to rest, does it? Just shut up please Zhan ge, okay? I already told you I don't want noise first thing in the morning."
Zhan started to push Yibo away with all his might, his hands shoving and flailing against Yibo's chest. The effort made Yibo finally sit up and pin Zhan with an intense, unreadable gaze. Leaning in close, Yibo whispered into Zhan's ear, his tone now lower and sharper, "Do you even realize what you're doing?"
Zhan froze momentarily, startled by the change in Yibo's voice. Quickly, without looking at him, Zhan shoved him away with renewed determination, his hands trembling slightly from a mix of anger and nerves.
Yibo gently held Zhan's hand, his intense gaze fixed on him as he said in a calm but commanding voice, "That's enough. You brought this on yourself..."
He began trailing kisses along Zhan's neck, his hand gliding down his back and brushing against his bare skin beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. Zhan's body stiffened, his skin tingling from the unexpected touch. Yibo's lips found Zhan's neck, lingering there as if savoring the moment.
Zhan immediately raised his hands, trying to push Yibo away, but Yibo's voice dropped to a warning tone as he muttered, "If you keep fighting me, I'll miss my flight. And if that happens, we're both leaving this house today, whether you like it or not."
Zhan's frustration only grew, and he pushed harder, using all his strength. This seemed to fuel Yibo's determination. In one swift move, Yibo turned Zhan toward him completely, pinning him under his weight. His hands firmly held Zhan in place as he leaned down, pressing their lips together in a forceful, commanding kiss. His hands moved to remove Zhan's sleepwear, which he quickly discarded.
Yibo's shirtless body pressed against Zhan's bare skin, the warmth of his chest almost overwhelming. Yibo hadn't worn a shirt to bed, only loose pajama pants, and now his movements were driven by an intensity that left Zhan breathless.
Soon, Zhan's resistance melted away, his muffled protests fading into silence. Yibo fully indulged himself, knowing it would be a long time before he could return home due to work obligations. He took his time, letting himself be carried away by the moment.
When it was over, Yibo scooped Zhan up in his arms and carried him to the bathroom. He set him down gently, but Zhan, too weak to stand, leaned heavily against the wall. He slowly made his way out, his body aching with every step. He collapsed onto the edge of the bed, silent tears streaming down his swollen, reddened eyes.
Yibo considered going after him but decided against it, knowing he needed space. He instead took a quick shower and wrapped a small towel around his waist. Emerging from the bathroom, he dried himself off while glancing at the clock.
He approached Zhan again, scooping him up effortlessly despite Zhan's feeble attempts to pull away. Yibo carried him back to the bathroom, placing him down gently. "Relax," he said softly. "I'm leaving now."
He turned and left, dressing quickly before exiting the room.
In the sitting room, Yibo stepped out just as Fang emerged from the kitchen. She had come through the back entrance to start her morning chores, which typically began at half past six. With Bei's condition, Fang had adjusted her routine to ensure Bei had her early meal before returning to rest until breakfast time.
Upon seeing him, Fang quickly lowered her gaze out of deep respect, remaining rooted in place until Yibo had completely left the room.
Slowly, Zhan adjusted himself and took a hot shower, letting the warmth penetrate deep into his aching body. He lingered in the water, ensuring his soreness eased before stepping out. After drying off, he dressed in the same clothes he'd worn the day before, swapping out the thick sweater and trousers for something more comfortable. Exhausted and feverish, Zhan crawled back into bed, feeling the relentless chills of his high temperature.
In his heart, Zhan is just coursing Yibo, he now realize what Yibo said to him in Sweden, that if Yibo have done something to him.. He won't waste his time asking verbally, his body will tell him. That little boy, the one he hate about their age gab, he's now wracking his arse like this...he's so damn strong.
🔸▫️▪️🔹
At precisely half past six, Yibo emerged from his room, fully dressed and ready for the day. He wore sleek Roberto Cavalli jeans paired with a crisp white Armani rugby shirt, topped off with a long, luxurious winter jacket that exuded elegance. His cologne filled the air, leaving a lingering impression. The car that would take him to the airport was already waiting outside.
Yibo approached Granny with his usual warmth, gently taking her hand as he always did. "Granny," he said, his voice filled with care, "I'm leaving now. Please, take care of my husband as always. He's in your hands."
Granny patted his hand affectionately. "May the Heavens bless your journey. Don't worry about your husband; we'll take good care of him, as we always do."
Yibo glanced toward Zhan's door before making his way over. Quietly, he opened it and stepped inside. Zhan was lying on the bed, deeply asleep, his face pale and troubled. Yibo approached slowly, leaning down to brush his hand across Zhan's cheek before placing a light kiss on his forehead. He retrieved a bank card and a slip of paper with the ATM password written on it, leaving them on the pillow beside Zhan before leaving the room.
As Yibo exited, Bei joined him, ready to accompany him to the car. At the vehicle, they found Hannah already waiting, bundled up in warm clothing to shield herself from the morning chill. As was her tradition, she would accompany Yibo to the airport.
The two of them got into the car. The driver started the engine, and the vehicle pulled away, followed closely by Yibo's security convoy. Together, they sped off into the quiet streets of the early morning.
After Bei returned inside, she headed straight to Zhan's room. To Bei, Zhan seemed indifferent to important matters, particularly when it came to settling down and focusing on his responsibilities. Bei often felt that Zhan wasn't taking his marriage seriously, she's the one feeling jealous of Hannah instead of him, acting as if he wasn't care at all...how long before he even understood its implications?.
When she entered the room, she found Zhan asleep. She approached the bedside, wondering if he and Yibo had even exchanged a proper goodbye. As she reached out to touch him, she immediately felt how alarmingly hot his body was.
Startled, Bei leaned closer, placing her hand on Zhan's forehead, feeling the heat intensify. With concern, she asked, "Zhan, are you burning up with this kind of fever?"
Zhan slowly opened his eyes and, in a weak voice, replied, "I took some medicine. Once I sleep, it should go down." Internally, however, his thoughts were preoccupied with Yibo. The man who had overwhelmed him completely, leaving him utterly drained in his relentless pursuit of satisfaction. Zhan couldn't help but recall Yibo's words back in Sweden again, warning him that his body would answer to whatever Yibo decided to do. That memory alone sent a shiver through him.
"Which medicine did you take, Zhan?" Bei asked with concern. "Let me call Dr. Kuo right away and inform him."
Shaking his head gently, Zhan replied, "No, please don't. Just let me rest. I promise I'll be fine after some sleep."
Reluctantly, Bei sighed. "Alright then, I'll stay here and watch over you. If you wake up later and still aren't better, we'll take action."
Despite his fever, Zhan struggled to sit up, waving her off. "No, please, don't trouble yourself. I told you it's nothing serious."
Bei stared at him, puzzled and slightly suspicious of his sudden movement. "Fine," she said, "but even if I go to my room, I won't be able to sleep knowing you're like this. I'd rather stay here."
Zhan quickly took her hand, closing his eyes momentarily from the fever's intensity. Forcing a small smile, he said, "Bei, please, just go to your room. I promise I'm alright."
Bei hesitated, her gaze narrowing as she sensed something was off. "Zhan, is there something you're not telling me?"
"What do you mean?" Zhan asked, feigning confusion.
Bei pressed, "I mean, why don't you want me to stay here? And don't tell me it's because you don't want me to worry—it's more than that."
Zhan let out a frustrated sigh, closing his eyes briefly as he tried to think of a way to dissuade her. The truth was, anyone who knew Yibo well enough would instantly recognize his lingering presence. The scent of his cologne clung to the sheets, the pillows, even the blanket. If Bei stayed, she'd undoubtedly notice and ask questions Zhan wasn't prepared to answer.
What would he say if she asked why the entire room smelled like Yibo? How could he explain that without revealing what had transpired?
This situation was becoming a nightmare, and Zhan felt utterly cornered. His life, he thought, was nothing short of chaotic at this point.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛