In Zhan's house, he tried his best to avoid giving Dai Jie any reason to pay closer attention to him. The only thing he was certain of was that Marshal Yibo's child would not remain in his body. It just wasn't an option.
The day after Zhan decided he had had enough, he resolved to return to work. That same day, Kai Xu returned. He arrived at the sitting room where Granny was seated, while Bei was still in her room preparing. After Granny opened the door for him, Kai Xu walked in with a smile and greeted her respectfully before finding a seat.
Zhan, on the other hand, looked at him with a playful smile and said, "Welcome back, Daddy-to-be and Mommy's man."
Kai Xu laughed, his smile broadening as he replied, "Thank you, Zhan. And what about you? You're the husband and Marshal Yibo's attention now, right? Are you using your charm to control him?"
Zhan brushed off the comment and quickly changed the subject. "Are you here to take your wife, aren't you too shy to take her in front of Granny?"
Kai Xu stole a glance at Granny, who was focused on her phone, before turning back to Zhan and suppressing his laughter. "I'll pay you back for this, Zhan. You owe me now."
Zhan only smiled in response, then turned his attention to Bei, who had just stepped out, beautifully dressed. Her glowing complexion, enhanced by care and her pregnancy, made her appearance even more striking.
Bei greeted Kai Xu warmly, and soon after, they all moved to the dinning. Dinner was served, and they ate together before Zhan saw them off to their car. Kai Xu had stopped by to visit Wang Dad earlier, where he spent quite a bit of time talking.
On his way back to Granny's part, Zhan ran into Mom Ella and Hannah, who were heading to see Granny. The moment Mom Ella saw Zhan, she studied him intently, her sharp gaze lingering on him with a hint of suspicion.
When Zhan approached them, he greeted her politely, "Good evening, Mom Ella."
Mom Ella smiled warmly, snapping out of her thoughts. "Good evening, Zhan. How are you feeling? Any improvement? You should really consider going to the hospital. If you're uncomfortable with that, there's a top specialist—one of Hannah's father's relatives—here in town. I could call him to come and check on you. He even has the equipment to take samples if needed. Or Hannah could take you to see him."
Zhan's expression hardened slightly as he glanced briefly at Mom Ella, avoiding even acknowledging Hannah. "No, thank you, Mom Ella. Dr. Kuo is more than capable."
Without waiting for a response, Zhan attempted to walk past them. Hannah, who had been silent, raised her phone to her ear and said loudly, "Hey, sweetheart, are you missing me already? We just got off the phone!"
Zhan ignored her completely and walked away, heading straight to his room without stopping by the sitting room where Granny was. He knew Mom Ella and Hannah had come for a chat with Granny, as they often did. He had no interest in lingering around for their conversation.
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The next day, Zhan prepared himself to return to work, feeling lonely at home without Bei. Granny, as usual, was absorbed in reading her books.
At the office, despite arriving, Zhan couldn't find any peace or calm. He ended up vomiting, which made Sarah worry. Eventually, they managed to get him to go home.
Once home, he ate a large meal, took a bath, and made an effort to sit in the sitting room so Granny wouldn't notice he wasn't feeling well.
The next day at the office, Zhan still couldn't shake off his discomfort. He continued to go to work, but nothing seemed to ease his condition. It felt like the office's scent was what triggered his uneasy feelings. Sarah eventually rearranged his office a bit, which gave him a little relief. Still, he was in a constant state of discomfort, with frequent vomiting, fever, and dizziness making everything harder to bear.
He was too scared to go to the hospital, fearing the pain was something serious. His mind was overwhelmed with negative thoughts whenever he considered the idea of visiting the doctor.
Sarah was extremely concerned about Zhan's health, especially since he was hiding it from Granny so she wouldn't worry. She insisted they go to the hospital or at least inform Granny about his condition.
Zhan, too, was feeling at his breaking point. He finally decided to go to the hospital. Without telling anyone, he and Sarah headed to the clinic. Sarah was also feeling anxious about what they might hear, especially since she had already suspected Zhan was pregnant. She knew that if this was confirmed, it would bring tension for Zhan.
When they arrived at the hospital, Sarah's thoughts were interrupted. They headed straight for Dr. Kuo's office, the doctor whom Zhan had contacted earlier.
Upon knocking, Dr. Kuo immediately recognized him and opened the door. He greeted him warmly, "Before we sit down, let's take your sample, shall we?"
Zhan nodded slightly and followed him into the lab. He asked him more questions about his symptoms, and he answered quietly as his body felt weak.
After the sample was taken, they barely made it back to his office before Zhan began vomiting again in the bathroom. Dr. Kuo waited for him to return, and once he did, Sarah gently rubbed his back, comforting him.
Dr. Kuo took a bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to Zhan while offering his sympathy. As they waited for the results, the nurse came in with them.
After receiving the results, Dr. Kuo opened them and sat down. He sighed deeply as he reviewed them and then grabbed a pen to sign the report. Turning to Zhan, he said, "Well, as I suspected, you're pregnant, Zhan."
He paused and then added, "Now, we'll do a scan to see how far along you are."
Zhan took a deep breath, his body trembling with the intensity of his emotions. He could barely comprehend anything around him, especially the words Dr. Kuo was speaking.
Quickly, Sarah rushed to his side, rubbing his back and opening a water bottle to help him drink, her fear evident in her actions. "Zhan, Zhan, Zhan, are you okay? Please, breathe for me, say something, Zhan."
She patted his back with gentle force, and at that moment, his breathing returned, though it was still shaky. He looked at Dr. Kuo with wide, terrified eyes, his mind overwhelmed by the panic. Without thinking, he spoke, his words tumbling out, "I don't want to know how far along I am. Just… just take it out, please, I don't want anyone to know about this pregnancy."
Dr. Kuo exchanged a glance with Sarah, both of them startled by Zhan's request. He looked at him again, trying to calm him, and said, "I told you, Zhan, it's not a decision for us to make. You're pregnant, that's a fact."
Zhan closed his eyes, tears beginning to fall as he whispered, "Please, just take it out, I don't want anyone to know about this."
Sighing, Dr. Kuo took a moment, understanding that his next words might not be well-received. He knew Zhan was likely too emotional to fully process it right now, and he had no intention of rushing or forcing anything. But he also understood the seriousness of Zhan's request. "Zhan, listen, the procedure to terminate the pregnancy is not something we can simply do. Marshal Yibo would have to approve it, and we all know he can cancel my licenses before any action can be taken. And Sarah, you know too that you can't avoid the wrath of Yibo if he finds out about this."
Sarah met his gaze, her worry evident. Dr. Kuo continued, his tone more measured, "You need to go home and rest for now, Zhan. We can talk again tomorrow or the day after, but you must have a scan first before we can discuss anything further. However, terminating the pregnancy, that's something we can't proceed with."
Zhan stood up, and Sarah held onto him to steady him. She guided him slowly out of the office, her hand gently wiping away his tears. Once they reached the car, Zhan collapsed into the seat, letting out a gut-wrenching sob that shook Sarah to her core. She struggled to start the car, unable to speak, as she worried about how to comfort him.
As they drove toward home, Zhan wiped his face with a tissue, his cheeks flushed from the crying. His heart felt like it was in turmoil, a mixture of fear and something he couldn't quite put into words.
As they entered the driveway, Sarah noticed the soldiers stationed in front of the house, and she immediately suspected that Marshal Yibo had returned.
Zhan didn't notice them at first until they entered the compound. His eyes landed on Yibo's car parked near the garage, and he quickly looked away, his mind too clouded with emotions to focus on anything else. He walked straight inside, avoiding any further thoughts, while Sarah passed through without entering the house.
Zhan made his way into the sitting room, walking slowly, trying to hide the turmoil inside him. There was no one there except Granny, who was busy on the phone, her attention fully focused on the conversation. Zhan went toward his room, but as his hand reached for the door, he felt someone gently embrace him from behind. Yibo's hands landed softly on the paper he was holding, and for a moment, Zhan froze. Yibo slowly lifted his face from Zhan's neck, letting out a deep sigh that made Zhan turn around quickly, his heart racing in response.
Zhan's eyes met Yibo's, which seemed to shine with a strange light, as if he was in a state of deep relaxation, as if life was finally offering him some peace. Yibo's lips neared Zhan's ear, and noticing the look in Zhan's eyes, he spoke softly. Zhan's tears began to fall as he gripped the paper in his hand even tighter, unable to stop the wave of emotions.
Yibo slowly lifted himself off Zhan, studying him carefully as tears streamed down his face. Zhan's expression softened, as if he had been yearning for this moment, and he began crying even harder.
Yibo cupped Zhan's face in his hands, his eyes filled with a deep love that was impossible to hide. He gently wiped the tears from Zhan's cheeks, pulling him closer with a tender voice that carried an unusual warmth and concern. "What's wrong? Come here. Don't tell me these tears are because you missed me," he said, trying to lighten the mood.
His words only made Zhan cry harder, clutching the paper in his hand like a lifeline. The guilt and shame consumed him; the thought of carrying a child by someone he didn't consider a husband, someone he hadn't even officially lived with, was unbearable. How could he face anyone with such a shame? The only solution in his mind was to terminate the pregnancy before anyone found out.
Yibo took Zhan's trembling hand and gently led him to his room. He guided him to sit on the edge of the bed and perched next to him, his gaze falling on the document Zhan was holding so tightly. Calmly, Yibo said, "Alright, alright. That's enough crying, Zhan ge. You'll give yourself a headache." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a scented handkerchief, and began dabbing at Zhan's tear-streaked face. But the tears only flowed harder, as if Zhan's heart was breaking under the weight of his emotions.
Unable to bear it any longer, Zhan stood abruptly and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him without a word.
Yibo sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment before standing and leaving the room. In the sitting room, Granny was still seated, preoccupied with her task, as Yibo walked out and headed to his quarters.
Once inside, the familiar scent of cleanliness and the cool air from the AC greeted him. His staff had clearly done a thorough job. Yibo headed straight to his bedroom, into the bathroom for a shower, hoping to clear his mind. The sound of Zhan's sobbing still lingered, gnawing at him.
After his shower, he changed into crisp white clothes that smelled of fresh cologne. Picking up his phone, he went to the fridge, grabbed a Red Bull, and drank it in one go before tossing the can into the trash. As he settled on the couch, he dialed Bei's number.
A soft knock interrupted him. Yibo frowned, knowing there was no one who would dare disturb him now except Hannah. He ignored it, continuing with his call.
Bei's cheerful voice answered, "Hey Marshal! This is a surprise visit, isn't it? Did you and your husband plan this?"
"How are you? How's the baby?" Yibo asked, cutting straight to the point.
"We're fine," Bei replied. "What's going on? Is Zhan okay?"
Yibo fell silent for a moment before replying in a calm tone, "What's wrong with Zhan-ge? Did Dr. Kuo say anything about his health?"
Bei sighed. "He mentioned a fever and exhaustion. Dr. Kuo suggested a checkup, but I doubt Zhan went. Maybe Sarah knows if he visited the clinic from work."
"Send me Sarah's number. I'll handle it myself."
"Alright."
Ending the call, Yibo stood and walked to the door, where Hannah stood waiting with a basket of snacks. She was dressed in a hanfu-style blouse and skirt, a rare choice for her. Smiling brightly, she entered, placing the basket on the dining table before sitting on the couch. Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Welcome back, Marshal. I've missed you so much! I was planning to visit you, and here you are instead."
Before she could say more, Yibo dialed Sarah. The sound of his voice silenced Hannah, her curiosity piqued.
Sarah answered respectfully, "Welcome back, Sir."
"Thank you," Yibo replied in his usual authoritative tone. "Did Zhan-ge go to the clinic to see Dr. Kuo?"
Sarah's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to stay silent but knew better than to test Yibo's patience. "Yes, Sir. We went to the clinic. He saw Dr. Kuo."
"Good. I'll follow up with Dr. Kuo myself. Thank you."
Ending the call, Yibo set his phone down and leaned back, closing his eyes briefly before looking at Hannah, who had gone quiet. She was lost in thought, trying to piece together what had brought Yibo back so suddenly. Was it Zhan's illness? If so, how serious could it be? Or was Zhan simply being dramatic to gain his attention?
Either way, she decided she would find out. If Zhan was exaggerating, she'd ensure Yibo knew the truth.
Yibo pointed at the door, signaling to Hannah that he needed to rest now. Reluctantly, she stood and left, heading straight to Granny's quarters while fuming internally about Zhan, who she believed had come between her and her Marshal.
Finding no one in the sitting room, she scoffed disdainfully and stormed out, her anger intensifying. She couldn't shake the thought of Zhan as a rival, consuming her with jealousy.
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Later that night, Zhan quietly got up to take a shower. Afterward, he slipped into a pair of long pajamas and headed to the kitchen, his empty stomach growling with hunger. He made himself a hot cup of tea, adding plenty of milk and honey, and carried it to the dining area, where he sat alone. Slowly sipping his tea, he finished it, ate a small meal, and returned to his room.
As he lay on his bed preparing to sleep, the door creaked open, and someone entered. The familiar scent of Yibo's cologne hit his senses even before he looked up. His swollen eyes, red from crying, locked onto Yibo's calm figure as he approached the bed. Embarrassed, Zhan looked away, turning his head to the side as if trying to ignore him.
Yibo moved closer and sat at the edge of the bed. Without saying a word, he reached for Zhan's hand, holding it gently. The warmth of his touch made Zhan freeze for a moment, his body betraying him with a slight tremble.
Zhan tried to pull his hand away, but Yibo tightened his grip, glancing at him softly. Their eyes met briefly before Zhan averted his gaze again, struggling against the overwhelming emotions coursing through him.
Yibo didn't let go. Instead, he gently pulled Zhan up into a sitting position on his lap and wrapped his arms around him in a firm embrace.
"I don't want any arguments," Yibo said in a quiet but firm tone. "You're not feeling well, and neither am I. Let's just rest. Please."
Zhan frowned, trying once more to pull away, but Yibo held him securely, his eyes closed as if seeking solace in the embrace. Finally, Zhan stopped struggling, his own exhaustion catching up with him.
The room fell into a deep, comfortable silence, their breaths the only sound echoing in the space as they both found an unexpected sense of peace in the moment.
At half past two in the night, Zhan woke up slowly, his hunger and thirst pulling him out of sleep. Stirring slightly, he realized he was pressed against someone. Startled, he quickly lifted his head and turned to see Yibo's face, completely forgetting his presence in the room from earlier that night.
In the dim light of the bedside lamp, Zhan studied Yibo's face for a moment before glancing away, his heartbeat quickening. Carefully, he tried to move out of Yibo's hold and slip off the bed. However, Yibo stirred, opening his eyes lazily to look at him.
"Are you okay?" Yibo asked, his voice calm yet laced with concern.
Zhan ignored him, getting up and heading toward the door. Yibo rose slowly, following him, and caught his arm. His gaze softened as he looked into Zhan's sleepy, slightly dazed eyes.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Yibo asked gently.
Zhan didn't respond, pulling his arm free and continuing to the door. Sheer determination kept him moving as he exited the room, leaving Yibo behind, perplexed but curious enough to follow.
They ended up in the kitchen, where Yibo's curiosity only grew. It had been ages since he'd stepped foot in the kitchen, and now, watching Zhan rummage through the fridge, he was genuinely intrigued.
Zhan grabbed a chilled bottle of orange juice, pouring himself a glass, and picked up two slices of cake from the counter. Yibo silently observed, surprised at the idea of eating in the middle of the night.
Before Zhan could take a sip, Yibo gently took the glass from his hand, his concerned eyes meeting Zhan's. He gestured, silently warning him that the cold drink might worsen his condition.
Reluctantly, Zhan allowed Yibo to guide him to the sitting room, where he sat and finished his cake. Yibo brought him a glass of water afterward, standing nearby and watching over him. Zhan avoided meeting his gaze, finishing his meal quickly before getting up and heading back to his room.
Once inside, Zhan stopped in the middle of the room, suddenly aware of Yibo following him. He turned to face him, a mix of confusion and nervousness in his expression.
Yibo's eyes locked onto Zhan, his gaze deep and unwavering. Something about the way Zhan's pajamas clung to him and the faint scent of his cologne filled the room, stirring something in Yibo he couldn't suppress.
Zhan opened his mouth, intending to ask him to leave, but Yibo closed the distance between them, capturing Zhan's lips in a soft, deliberate kiss. Zhan froze, his body stiffening as Yibo deepened the kiss, his hands resting lightly on Zhan's arms.
Zhan's initial instinct was to push him away, but his body betrayed him, slowly melting into the warmth and tenderness of the moment.
Yibo's hands slid beneath Zhan's shirt, and Zhan let out a shaky breath, gripping Yibo's arms tightly, his body trembling under Yibo's touch. Their eyes met briefly, Zhan's wide with panic and confusion, but Yibo's gaze was steady, filled with something that made Zhan's resistance crumble further.
Without a word, Yibo lifted Zhan effortlessly, laying him down on the bed as their lips remained locked. His hands explored Zhan's trembling body, sending shivers down his spine and making it nearly impossible for Zhan to catch his breath.
🙄 I will not write anything further... Go with your imaginations 😜
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛