Dai Jie and Bei gently pulled Zhan aside, trying to diffuse the tension while Uncle Wen and Yi were being reassured by others. Grandma, on the other hand, took Zhan by the hand and led him to her room. Sitting him down, she looked at him with care and said, "You need to accept this, my child. Follow your uncle's and mother's advice. You know we would never choose something bad for you. What's better than a peaceful and stable life with Yibo? Considering the years you've given him, who'll say you're older than him? You two even look like age mate—no one would guess he's younger. So, what's the harm in marrying someone younger?"
She continued, "If not for yourself, then do it for your Granny and Wang Dad. Look at Bei; she doesn't see fault in you and continues to support you because of the love she has for you. Please, take a deep breath and embrace this marriage. Even Yibo and his family are happy with this arrangement and have promised not to put undue pressure on you. Just give it a chance to bring peace and happiness to your life."
Grandma's voice was steady, filled with an earnest desire to console him. She knew the arguing and back-and-forth wouldn't lead anywhere but to unnecessary bitterness. She resolved to ensure this marriage stayed intact, preferring to see Zhan adjust rather than watch the bond dissolve. In her heart, she prayed that time would soften Zhan's resistance and transform the marriage into a harmonious union.
Zhan stayed in Grandma's room until he calmed down. Once she felt he was ready, Grandma personally accompanied him to Granny's sitting room, where everyone had gathered. There, they reassured Zhan, comforting him until Grandma finally left.
Even by evening, Granny and Bei were still doting on him, ensuring he felt at ease. They stayed with him through the night, giving him undivided attention. Wang Dad even called Zhan himself, speaking with Granny and spending time encouraging him until Zhan eventually started to feel embarrassed about the whole situation. In the end, their unwavering care helped him relax and return to his usual duties.
Meanwhile, Hannah and Mom Ella, upon hearing what had happened, were thrilled. They became even more determined to ensure Hannah's wedding to Marshal went smoothly. Despite Hannah's repeated attempts to tell Yibo about Zhan's outburst, she couldn't find the opportunity. Yibo was too busy and constantly traveling, leaving her no choice but to wait for the right moment.
Though time passed, Yi, Zhan's Mama and Uncle Wen remained upset. They barely acknowledged Zhan when he greeted them at home, keeping their responses short and cold. Grandma, however, continued to mediate, softening Zhan's heart whenever she noticed their lingering anger. Dai Jie, on the other hand, busied herself attending to everything Bei needed, as Bei's pregnancy had become more visible.
Zhan had been throwing himself into his work, returning home late in the evenings, especially as the office workload piled up due to the ongoing conflict. He had come back to find that Marshal Yibo had removed Sen Nan from Wang's company, but the other shareholders hadn't agreed to it. However, Marshal Yibo insisted on his decision, leveraging his majority stake in the company.
The ensuing chaos added to Zhan's responsibilities. All the tasks from Chairman Sen Nan's office were redirected to Zhan's desk since Sen Nan had been suspended until the dispute was resolved. Meanwhile, Marshal Yibo had left for his job, leaving everything in Zhan's hands.
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Despite the overwhelming workload, Zhan pushed through, managing the office operations every day. The endless meetings and tasks started to take a toll on him, and he began to lose a little weight. It took him a month and two weeks of relentless effort before things began to settle. Slowly, he found himself able to return home earlier.
One morning, Zhan arrived at the office but felt dizzy almost immediately. The faint spell had started the day before, but it seemed to be worsening.
Holding his head, Zhan closed his eyes briefly, then opened them slowly, glancing up at Sarah, who had just walked into his office. Speaking softly, he said, "Sarah, please get me some cold water."
Sarah looked at him in surprise. "Cold water or something just slightly chilled?"
Without lifting his head, Zhan replied, "Very cold water."
Startled...since she knew Zhan never drank cold water....Sarah hesitated before walking to the fridge. She grabbed an icy bottle and handed it to him.
Zhan took it, opened it immediately, and drank deeply, much to Sarah's amazement. After taking a long sip, he set the bottle down and sighed softly. "Sarah, I'm heading home now. My head hurts, and I need to rest."
Sarah didn't argue. Instead, she accompanied him, driving him home.
When they arrived, they found Bei in the sitting room with Dai Jie. Dai Jie had brought her a fresh batch of Crispy Szechuan Tofu sent by his Mama.

As soon as Zhan saw the meal, a craving hit him.... something unusual for him. Ignoring his usual routine of heading straight
to his room, he walked over and sat beside Bei.
"I'm starving," he said softly, his voice laced with exhaustion. "I feel so hungry my head hurts." He picked up a plate and handed it to Bei, saying, "Can you serve me some?"
Bei obliged, smiling as she served him. "Well, well, Zhan's hungry enough to skip heading to his room first. Granny's favorite has finally met his match."
Zhan didn't say a word until he had eaten the tofu on his plate. Surprisingly, the headache that had been bothering him subsided. He lifted his head to look at Bei and softly said, "Thanks."
Only then did Zhan acknowledge Dai Jie, who was still watching him closely as he continued eating. They exchanged greetings, but Dai Jie kept observing him with a thoughtful expression. She finally asked, "Zhan, are you feeling okay? You seem thinner than usual."
Bei chimed in, "That's just work stress. Honestly, I don't think he's lost weight; if anything, his complexion looks brighter. Maybe you're low on blood, Zhan?" She ended her statement with eyes widened.
Without looking up, Zhan replied, "I'm fine. It's just stress, but I'll be taking some time off now that things have stabilized at the office."
Zhan ate until he was satisfied, then excused himself and headed to his room, leaving them in the sitting room. He undressed and stepped into the bathroom for a shower. After freshening up, he felt much better. With a towel wrapped around his waist, he moved toward the mirror. Just as he began adjusting his towel, his phone rang.
Turning toward his bed, he saw the call was coming from an international number. The caller ID displayed the United States of America. Without hesitation, Zhan answered the video call.
The screen lit up, revealing Yibo sitting comfortably in his elegant sitting room, dressed in his American military uniform. He looked incredibly handsome, the uniform enhancing his strong features and calm demeanor. The rest and peace he had enjoyed were evident in his appearance.
Yibo's sharp eyes fixed on Zhan, slowly trailing down to his chest, which was still glistening with water droplets from the shower. The brightness of Zhan's refreshed complexion made Yibo stare even more intently.
It was the first time Zhan had seen Yibo in uniform. Embarrassed by the way Yibo was looking at him, Zhan quickly realized he was still in a towel. Blushing, he ended the call abruptly, tossing the phone onto the bed before rushing to get dressed.
By the time Zhan woke from an afternoon nap, it was already 6 p.m. A pang of hunger drove him out of bed. Knowing dinner wouldn't be ready yet, he headed straight to the kitchen. He was sure Bei would be there since she often snacked before dinner.
When Zhan entered the kitchen, he found it empty except for Guan, who was finishing up preparations for dinner. He opened the fridge, grabbed a chilled milk drink, and drank it all. Then, he took four slices of cake and ate them, following up with two apples. Only after this did he feel somewhat satisfied.
As Zhan was leaving the kitchen, he bumped into Bei, who was just coming in, likely in search of something to eat. She gave him a mock glare and said, "Zhan, I'm starving! I wanted cake and milk, but it looks like you've already raided the kitchen after eating the tofu Mama sent me earlier."
Zhan didn't say a word as he returned to the sitting room, scrolling through his phone while waiting for dinner to be served at the dining table.
When Granny came out, they all gathered in the dining area, with Bei already seated and helping herself to the food without waiting for anyone.
Zhan, ever mindful, served Granny her food, brought her water, and made sure everything was set. He glanced at Bei, who was already eating, not bothering to wait for the others.
Zhan sat down and served himself. As he started eating, he noticed Granny and Bei watching him intently. Confused by their stares, he looked down at his plate and realized he had served himself a much larger portion than usual.

Embarrassed, Zhan quickly tried to explain, "I'm just really hungry today. I haven't had a proper meal all day."
Granny glanced at Zhan's plate of food again before turning her concerned eyes toward him. With calmness and care, she said, "Zhan, don't go without eating like this. It can harm you. This much food might upset your stomach. Have some tea first to settle yourself before eating."
She then looked at Bei and added, "Pass him the tea so he can drink it."
The small flask, filled with black tea infused with aromatic spices, lemon, and honey, was a staple of Granny's household. It was served at every meal—morning, afternoon, and night—and anyone staying in the house, even guests, would often be offered tea before water, as per Granny's tradition.
Bei handed the tea to Zhan, saying with a smirk, "You've already started eating. You can drink tea afterward," as she set it down and picked up her spoon to continue her meal.
Zhan, eating as gracefully as usual, finished his food and took a small sip of the tea before setting it aside, quietly murmuring, "I'm full now."
Granny observed him carefully and said again, "If you keep skipping meals like this, you'll end up making yourself sick. Don't let it happen again."
Zhan gave a faint smile and glanced at Bei, who was still eating. "It's just today," he assured Granny. "It won't happen again."
Rising slowly, Zhan left the dining area, feeling much calmer. He returned to the sitting room, picked up his phone, and began scrolling through it. Meanwhile, Granny and Bei finished their meals. Granny went to her room to soak her feet in warm water, a routine for her aching legs, while Bei joined Zhan in the sitting room, settling beside him with her phone.
"Zhan," Bei began, scrolling through her phone, "Mama's starting my new body care routine tomorrow. Kai Xu will be back next week."
Zhan turned to glance at her, his attention half on his phone. "And that's why you're so excited?" he asked dryly.
Bei smirked. "Oh, I'm just getting started. Wait until he's back—I'll be showing off the results of this care routine. I mean, who knows what kind of admiration he's been receiving from others while I've been stuck here?" She laughed. "When he's back, it'll be my turn to drive him crazy—let's see who wins this game!"
Zhan raised an eyebrow. "You're acting as if he doesn't know you're already crazy. Anyway, I will tell him to enjoy himself while he can. Once your pregnancy get older, let's see how far that 'routine' gets you."
Bei laughed again, leaning back. "Oh, please. Let me have my fun now. Once my Hubby sees me, he'll be too mesmerized to notice anyone else!"
She trailed off as her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she smiled—it was a video call from Yibo. She answered immediately, beaming, "Hey, Marshal Yibo, how are you?"
On the screen, Yibo adjusted his crossed legs as he sat in his office, the early morning light streaming in. His uniform was impeccable, and the calm authority he exuded was evident even through the call.
"I'm fine," he said in his deep voice. "How's the baby? Have you gone for the scan yet? I spoke to Dr. Kuo.... send me the results when you get them. I want to see them."
Bei laughed. "We're both fine, Yibo. Don't worry. And Zhan is fine, too." She cast a teasing glance at Zhan, who had been listening silently and pretending not to notice.
Yibo leaned back, folding his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on the screen. In a tone that carried both authority and familiarity, he said, "Hand him the phone."
Bei glanced at him, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Yibo, don't trouble my friend with that serious face of yours," she said lightly.
Yibo gave her a look that made her roll her eyes. "Whatever you've become, don't forget I'm still your elder sister," she quipped.
Yibo closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with a voice that carried an edge of warning. "My husband is sitting right next to you. Give him the phone."
Zhan, who had been sitting silently, his attention half on his phone but distracted by Yibo's voice, stood up to leave just as Bei tried handing him the phone. Before he could move any further, Yibo's stern voice rang out, "If you walk away, you'll see what I would do."
Zhan froze, slowly turning to look at the phone. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped, his face hardening as he tried to ignore Yibo's commanding tone. Bei, noticing the tension, gently pulled him back to sit. "Sit down, Zhan. I'll leave instead. I need to check on something in the kitchen," she said with a grin, leaving the phone on the table in front of him before walking away.
Zhan averted his eyes, trying to focus on his phone, but he could feel Yibo's gaze boring into him. It unsettled him, and finally, he looked up. Their eyes met through the screen, and Zhan quickly looked away.
"You look sexy in that outfit," Yibo said suddenly, his voice low but firm.
Zhan's cheeks flushed in a mix of embarrassment and irritation. He reached to turn off the call, but Yibo's piercing stare made him pause. "Alright," Yibo said smoothly. "Goodnight. Go get some rest."
Yibo ended the call before Zhan could react. Flustered, Zhan looked down at his outfit—a loose shirt slightly open at the front, revealing just enough to draw attention. Muttering under his breath, he stood and went to his room, deciding to change into more modest sleepwear.
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The next morning, Zhan was up early, heading straight to the kitchen for a hot cup of tea. The hunger he'd ignored the night before now gnawed at him. Sipping the steaming tea with a small slice of cake, he sighed contentedly, though Fang, busy with her chores, couldn't help but notice.
Unlike Zhan's usual eating habits....strictly timed and minimal.....he seemed to have adopted Bei's more indulgent style these past few days. It was subtle, but Fang had noticed.
After finishing, Zhan returned to his room, intending to rest a bit more. He fell into a deep sleep and didn't wake until almost 10 a.m. Blinking at the clock, he sighed, rubbing his forehead. It wasn't like him to sleep this late.
Dragging himself out of bed, he headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower. Once dressed, smelling faintly of cologne, he made his way to the sitting room where Granny was seated.
"Good morning, Granny," he greeted warmly, sitting beside her. "Did you sleep well?"
Granny smiled at him fondly. "Good morning, Zhan. I'm well, but you're late today. That's not like you."
Zhan nodded. "Yes, I overslept. I'll eat quickly and head to the office."
He moved to the dining area and called for Fang to bring him a glass of cold water. Just as he began eating, Qi, Dai Jie's daughter, entered with a cheerful greeting.
"Uncle Zhan, good morning!"
"Good morning, Qi. How are Mama, Dai Jie, and Grandma doing?"
"They're all well," Qi replied, setting down a tray. "Here are the pancakes for Aunty Bei. I'll be heading back to help my Mama with some pastries for an upcoming wedding. When Aunty Bei comes down, please tell her I said hello."
She gave Granny her greetings before leaving, but the aroma of the pancakes lingered in the air.

The scent wafted toward Zhan, tempting him. Normally indifferent to such things, he tried to ignore it, focusing on his meal. But the smell was persistent, making his stomach churn with unspoken cravings.
Irritated, Zhan abruptly stood, wiping his mouth. Grabbing his bag, he said, "Granny, I'm off to the office. I'll see you later."
"Alright, take care. See you when you get back," Granny replied as Zhan hurried out, leaving the tempting pancakes behind.
Zhan got into his car and let out a deep sigh, breathing slowly to steady himself. It took him a moment to regain composure before starting the car and driving to the office.
Upon arriving, the discomfort he had been suppressing earlier surged back. With great effort, he managed to make it to his office, but as soon as he entered, he rushed to the bathroom. A wave of nausea overcame him, and he began to vomit violently.
Sarah, his assistant, hurried after him, alarmed by the severity of his condition. She stood by, concern etched on her face, as Zhan struggled to catch his breath and wash his face. Weak and drained, he leaned against the sink before straightening up and saying hoarsely, "Get me some cold water to drink."
"Zhan, did you eat something bad?" Sarah asked, her voice filled with worry. "Should I call Dr. Kuo to come and check on you if you're not feeling well?"
Zhan shook his head as he stepped out of the bathroom and sat down in his chair. Taking the water she handed him, he sipped it slowly, then placed the glass down and said, "No need to call Dr. Kuo. I think I just ate too much earlier. I'll feel better now that I've thrown up. Just make sure no one disturbs me—I'm not feeling great."
Sarah nodded, giving him a sympathetic look before leaving the room with a soft "Feel better soon."
The rest of the day was a struggle for Zhan. He felt unsteady and drained, unable to focus on work. By the afternoon, he decided to pack up and head home, a mild fever now accompanying his discomfort.
At home, he managed to eat a small meal and lie down, but the craving for the donuts Qi had mentioned earlier in the day nagged at him. Giving in, he picked up his phone and called Dai Jie.
"Dai Jie, can you ask Qi to bring me some donuts? I've lost my appetite, but I think I can manage to eat those."
"I'm sorry, Zhan, there aren't any left," Dai Jie replied apologetically. "We only have some samosas left. Should I send those?"
"No, it's fine," Zhan sighed. "I'll just have some cake instead."
After hanging up, Zhan felt the fever intensify, leaving him lethargic. Despite the discomfort, he managed to eat a light dinner before falling into an uneasy sleep.
The next morning, Zhan woke up much later than usual, something completely out of character for him. He rushed out without eating breakfast and headed straight to the office. There, he grabbed a milk drink to stave off his hunger. But as soon as he finished it, the nausea returned, worse than the day before. He barely made it to the bathroom before another round of violent vomiting began.
Sarah, who had been watching him anxiously, was now genuinely alarmed. Once Zhan emerged, pale and exhausted, she said firmly, "Zhan, please, let me call Dr. Kuo. This isn't normal."
"No," Zhan replied weakly. "Pack up my things. I'm going home. I feel dizzy and can't drive myself."
Sarah hesitated, studying him with a mixture of concern and suspicion. A thought crossed her mind, and she cautiously asked, "Zhan… are you pregnant?"
Zhan froze, his exhaustion giving way to a flash of irritation. Despite his dizziness, he scowled and snapped, "Are you stupid? How on earth could I be pregnant? Do I have someone who could impregnated me? Sarah, don't add to my headache. Just grab the car keys and take me home. I can't drive like this."
Chastened, Sarah nodded quickly and hurried to do as she was told, though the question still lingered in her mind.
🤔Who will tell him? Absolutely not me, i love my peaceful live. 😂
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛