Zhan entered the room and sank into a chair, closing his eyes briefly before exhaling deeply. Frustration and regret filled his chest. If he had known, he would have just called Dai Jie instead of coming here in person, sparing himself from Grandma's endless scolding. He wished the matter had been forgotten or at least left alone until he could address it quietly.
His mother entered the room with Dai Jie and Bei, and Zhan glanced up slightly, avoiding direct eye contact with her out of shame. Grandma's voice echoed from the courtyard as she continued her tirade, not letting the matter rest.
Softly and cautiously, Zhan greeted, "Mama, how are you? How's everything at home?"
She sat in her usual spot on the couch and replied, "Everything's fine. How's your Granny?"
Relief washed over Zhan at her calm tone. It was a welcome change from Grandma's harsh words. Smiling faintly, he asked, "Mama, have you forgiven me? Are you no longer angry with me?"
His mother gave him a sharp look before replying, "You should thank your husband for advocating on your behalf. He didn't rest until he got us to forgive you. It's out of respect for him that we let it go. But if you ever repeat such behavior, only I know the punishment you'll face. And now, thanks to your stubbornness and refusal to accept the marriage we arranged, Grandma won't stop airing your dirty laundry for everyone to hear. If you're not careful, she'll keep this up until you're old and still hearing about it."
She sighed, adding, "You need to accept reality, Zhan. Your husband adores you and doesn't want to see you upset. Yibo even went so far as to apologize on your behalf and smooth things over with Wen. Otherwise, you and I would still be dealing with his anger every single day."
Bei chimed in, trying to lighten the mood, "Mama, Zhan has already turned over a new leaf. Let's not dwell on the past. He's even planning to go back to Hawaii with Yibo. Hopefully, he'll return after the baby arrives."
Dai Jie chuckled and teased, "Zhan, you're really going with him?"
Zhan ignored her comment, pretending not to hear as he focused on speaking to his mother. Dai Jie persisted, "Mama, please, you need to give him some guidance. He's still new to this marriage thing."
Yi threw a tissue at Dai Jie, interrupting her. "Are you done mocking me yet?"
Bei and Dai Jie laughed as Dai Jie replied, "I'm just being honest. He's still adjusting to married life. A little advice wouldn't hurt."
"Was I joking with you?" Yi retorted, pretending to glare.
Bei added, "Mama, she's right. Give him some advice. After all, Zhan's the groom this time, and this isn't like his previous engagement. This is his actual husband we're talking about."
His mother sighed. "Bei, two days of freedom, and you've lost all sense of decorum."
Embarrassed by their teasing, Zhan stood up, intending to leave, but his mother stopped him. "Better endure their teasing here than Grandma's scolding out there."
Reluctantly, Zhan sat back down, glaring at Bei and Dai Jie in hopes they'd drop the subject. His mother, ever relaxed and unbothered, allowed the playful banter. It wasn't the first time Zhan's marital issues had brought chaos into their lives.
They spent the rest of the conversation discussing Zhan's upcoming trip, with his mother and Dai Jie offering advice. As they spoke, they reminded Zhan to stop being prideful and fully embrace his role in the marriage. Regardless of age, Zhan needed to let go of his ego and focus on building a happy life with his husband—unless he was planning to live as a divorcee forever.
As Dai Jie tried to speak, she said, "Well, it's not like the marriage between Yibo and Hannah was entirely off. I heard Granny say that if they return and Zhan still wants a divorce from Yibo, the marriage will still happen."
Bei smirked, glancing at Zhan. "That might be true, but I think by the time they come back, Zhan might have changed his mind about the marriage."
Noticing their teasing, Yi spoke up with a serious tone. "Leave him alone. Zhan, just focus on building your life with him, in his home and heart. And as for the marriage, you don't need to stop him from wanting it—let him decide on his own."
Dai Jie cut in, interrupting Yi. "Mama, let him figure it out himself. There's no need to push him into staying with Yibo."
Yi glanced at Zhan, whose face had softened into a look of quiet sadness. He seemed overwhelmed by the discussion. Yi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, smiling warmly. "Don't worry. Just settle into your home and enjoy your life together without any unnecessary pressure."
They eventually left the house after a long chat. Before leaving, Yi had prepared a delicious macaroni salad for Yibo and packed it neatly into a basket, handing it to Zhan. He accepted it reluctantly, trying to suppress the embarrassment and frustration that Grandma had stirred in him earlier. Finally, unable to bear the discomfort, Zhan handed the basket to Bei, turning away with a quiet sigh.
Bei refused to take it, teasing him, "It's not heavy—you can carry it yourself."
Zhan moved ahead and said his goodbyes to Yi, though Grandma couldn't resist chiming in with her sharp remarks. "Of course, you're in a hurry to leave. But if you bring up any nonsense about not accepting this marriage again, I'll make sure you regret it. You're being supported through all this, yet you keep complaining about not wanting to marry the younger brother of your friend. And now, look—soon, you'll have a child with him, even though you claim you don't want him. One day, when you come back saying you don't want this marriage anymore, don't expect any sympathy from me. I'll just sit back and watch."
She continued, "You and your Granny are both the same. You left us to figure out how to clean up the mess and convince you to stay in this marriage. Wen and I have spent sleepless nights thinking of ways to make you accept this, yet here you are, acting as if you're above it all."
Zhan said nothing, walking away quickly, while Dai Jie and Bei tried to soothe Grandma, who wouldn't stop her tirade. After saying goodnight to Yi, Bei followed Zhan, laughing softly. "Zhan, you've really stirred things up with Grandma this time."
Zhan finally spoke, frustration in his voice. "Grandma just found something to talk about. It's been days since she had anyone to argue with, so now she's latched onto me."
They reached the gate, which the security guards opened for them before they arrived. The guards greeted them respectfully, especially Zhan, since they knew he was married to their boss and that Yibo was in the house.
Zhan was preoccupied, half-listening to Bei's chatter about a potential suitor for Dai Jie. She recounted how Uncle Wen had arranged the meeting, but Zhan wasn't paying much attention—until his eyes landed on Yibo.
Yibo was wearing a white top that accentuated his sharp features and gave him an air of effortless charm. His gaze locked onto Zhan, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It was the first time in a long while that Yibo had seen Zhan smile—really smile—and even laugh. He had been on the phone, but the moment Zhan entered the courtyard, all his attention shifted to him.
Hannah stood beside Yibo, dressed in a blouse and skirt. When she saw them, she quickly looked away and pretended to take a call. She wanted to avoid stopping or engaging with them, preferring to slip inside unnoticed. Today, she planned to make sure she had a chance to chat with Yibo, whom she was lucky to see returning home just as she arrived.
Zhan, noticing Yibo's gaze on him, lowered his head. When he saw Hannah standing beside Yibo, he briefly turned away and walked past them calmly. He had no intention of stopping or saying anything, as he didn't see the point. Unlike Bei, who gave Yibo a small wave before continuing on, Zhan maintained his pace.
Yibo, however, wasn't going to let him go so easily. Just as Zhan was about to pass, Yibo reached out and grabbed Zhan's free hand, the one not holding the basket. Zhan paused immediately, not turning back, knowing who it was. Yibo gently pulled him closer, still holding his hand while continuing his phone call. His gaze shifted briefly to Bei, who watched curiously. With his usual calm tone, Yibo said, "I'll have Mama's food in my room. Please send some tea and snacks later for the night for Zhan-ge."
Bei, caught between surprise and amusement, raised her hand in acknowledgment, signaling her agreement. She glanced back at Zhan, offering a teasing wave and a wink. "See you later, friend," she said with a chuckle.
Hannah, meanwhile, was still pretending to talk on the phone, unaware that she was holding it upside down. She watched them disappear into the house, her heart sinking as Yibo closed the door behind them, still on his call.
Distracted, Hannah dropped her car keys and bent down to retrieve them, her movements slow and heavy. Picking them up, she straightened and made her way to their part, feeling an unexplainable weight in her steps.
Inside, Yibo led Zhan straight to the kitchen, still holding his hand and still on the phone. He gestured for Zhan to set the basket down. Zhan obeyed, placing it carefully on the counter. Yibo then guided him toward his bedroom, their hands still intertwined. Zhan hesitated briefly, but Yibo shook his head, silently reassuring him.
Once in the room, Yibo sat on the sofa and pulled Zhan down beside him, keeping hold of his hand. He continued his phone call, occasionally glancing at Zhan, who kept his gaze lowered, nervously focusing on their entwined hands.
After some time, Yibo finally ended his call and set his phone aside. He turned to Zhan, who still avoided meeting his gaze. With a soft smile, Yibo gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I'd like to eat Mama's food before it gets cold. Come on, help me."
They stood and headed back to the kitchen together. At the counter, Yibo leaned in and kissed Zhan's cheek lightly before stepping back. "I'll wait at the dining table," he said, leaving Zhan to prepare the meal.
Zhan exhaled softly, overwhelmed by the situation. Accepting his reality, he gathered plates, spoons, and cups, wiping them clean before arranging them on the dining table. Returning to the kitchen, he brought out the food, meticulously setting it up while keenly aware of Yibo's gaze on him. He avoided looking at Yibo, knowing that meeting his intense eyes would leave him flustered.
When he finished, Yibo gently pulled him onto his lap, taking Zhan's hands in his and kissing them softly. "Tired already, Baba Junior Wang?" he teased with a warm, playful smile.
Zhan glanced at Yibo's lips, startled by his forwardness. Yibo leaned in closer, their breaths mingling as he gazed deeply into Zhan's eyes. In a low, teasing voice, he said, "Go ahead, kiss me as much as you want. I'm all yours."
Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Zhan instinctively raised his hand, lightly hitting Yibo's chest. Yibo caught his hand mid-air, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright, alright. I'll be the shameless one. Anytime you want, I'm here," he said with a wink, his teasing tone making Zhan's cheeks flush even more.
Zhan stood up from beside him and quickly left the room without looking back. He made his way to the kitchen in a rush. Once he reached the fridge, he paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. A faint smile threatened to appear on his face, but he stopped it, feeling embarrassed at his own reaction.
It took Zhan two or three minutes to calm himself down, though he was still blushing. Finally, he opened the fridge and found it stocked entirely with chilled REDBULL energy drinks. He grabbed one along with a bottle of water and walked back to the dining area, where Yibo was calmly eating his meal, exuding the composed demeanor of an elder.
In the sitting room, Granny noticed it was time for dinner and realized Zhan hadn't come out since they returned. She glanced at Bei and asked, "Is Zhan alright? Check on him. I haven't seen him come out yet."
Without looking up, Bei, who was already seated at the dining table, replied, "He's with Yibo. They're eating together. I think Mama sent food for him. Once we're done here, I'll take him some snacks and tea for later."
Granny fell silent, surprised by Bei's response. After a moment, she smiled faintly and simply said, "Alright," letting the conversation drop.
After Yibo finished his meal, he left the dining area and moved to the sitting room to check his messages. Zhan, meanwhile, cleared the table, tidied up, and returned the dishes to the kitchen. Just as he was finishing up, Bei knocked on the door. Yibo gave her permission to enter without standing up, and she went straight to the dining table, setting down what she had brought. She then headed to the kitchen, where she found Zhan.
Smiling, Bei teased, "Mr. Wang Xiao, are you working hard here?"
Zhan ignored her as he finished arranging Mama's items in the basket. After washing his hands and drying them with a towel, he turned to her and said, "I'm done. Let's go; I need to shower and sleep."
The two walked back to the sitting room. Zhan headed toward his phone near Yibo, intending to grab it, while Bei sat on a chair, watching him. As Zhan picked up his phone, Yibo gently pulled him down to sit beside him. Glancing at Bei, Yibo said, "My kids won't take after your friend. They'll take after their dad and grow up to be smart, unlike…"
Zhan shot Yibo a sharp look, cutting him off mid-sentence. Yibo chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll stop."
The conversation shifted as Yibo and Bei discussed travel plans. They talked about there Uncle, whom Yibo was helping to arrange medical treatment for in India. Zhan attempted to leave and give them some privacy, but Yibo held onto his hand, preventing him from leaving while continuing his conversation with Bei.
Bei mentioned, "After you leave, me and Kai Xu also talked about me relocating with him. Since he's being transferred to LA, I'll move there too, and I'll be able to see a doctor regularly as well."
Zhan looked at her with a mix of happiness and sympathy. "Congratulations, sweetheart. I'm happy for you," he said warmly.
Bei nodded and replied, "Thank you. I wish you and my brother a blessed and happy life as well."
Yibo smiled, satisfied. He had always hoped Bei would move closer to her husband. He even thought Granny should consider moving to Hawaii, where she could relax and enjoy her later years in peace.
Zhan stood up and said he needed to make a call. He started toward the door when Bei remarked, "Just go to another room and take the call there. We'll leave together when I'm done."
Without argument, Zhan walked to a room off the sitting room and answered the call from Sarah, which had just come through on his phone.
Zhan didn't realize how much time had passed while he was on the phone with Sarah. He had intended to give Yibo and Bei some privacy to talk, so he stayed relaxed and focused on his call. However, even after ending the call, he could still faintly hear Bei and Yibo's conversation in the background. Out of curiosity, he glanced around the room he was in. Everything in the guest room was decorated in shades of gold, unlike Yibo's bedroom, which was predominantly milk-colored.
Feeling a bit drowsy, Zhan got up and headed out, thinking they must have finished their conversation. To his surprise, only Yibo was in the sitting room; Bei was nowhere to be seen. Yibo, noticing Zhan's confusion, handed him a set of nightclothes that Bei had brought for him earlier.
"You're tired, aren't you? Let's go. You need to rest. Bei already left," Yibo said, his tone calm but firm.
Before Zhan could say anything, Yibo gently took his hand and led him to his bedroom. Zhan opened his mouth to speak, but Yibo shook his head, silently signaling that he was too tired for any chatter.
Once inside the bedroom, Yibo dimmed the lights, placed Zhan's clothes aside, and headed to the bathroom. He returned after a quick shower, wearing only a towel. Zhan quickly averted his eyes, feeling awkward about the situation. Although he wanted to leave and sleep in his own room, the late hour made him hesitant to go out alone.
Yibo noticed Zhan's hesitation and personally escorted him to the bathroom. Zhan showered and attempt to changed into the nightwear Bei had left for him. However, upon seeing the outfit—a flimsy, transparent nightgown—he was taken aback.

"What on earth did Bei bring for me? Where did she even get this?" Zhan muttered, frustrated. With a huff, he tossed the nightgown onto the floor.
At that moment, Yibo walked into the bathroom, still wrapped in his towel. He glanced at Zhan, then at the discarded nightgown on the floor, immediately understanding the situation. Without commenting, he asked, "All good?"
Zhan nodded, avoiding Yibo's gaze. Yibo handed him one of his lightweight, long-sleeved shirts instead. Zhan accepted it, went back into the bathroom, and changed into the shirt, which was long but still left his legs partially exposed.
Yibo wasted no time. He gently guided Zhan to his bed and laid him down before lying beside him. Pulling the blanket over both of them, Yibo closed his eyes, clearly exhausted and ready to sleep.
Zhan, feeling slightly flustered, adjusted the blanket to cover himself more fully. Soon, the warmth of the blanket and the quiet atmosphere lulled them both into a peaceful sleep.
🔸▪️🔹
The next morning, by 7 a.m., Zhan returned to Granny's quarters after Yibo escorted him to the sitting room door. Before Yibo could follow him inside, Zhan quickly shut the door, ensuring he wouldn't try to come to his room to nap and risk Granny seeing him. Quietly, Zhan slipped into his room, closed the door behind him, and collapsed onto his bed. Exhaustion overtook him, and he immediately fell asleep.
It seemed like something unusual had taken over him that day. Yesterday night, his first meal consisted of cake and yogurt, while the second time he woke was purely due to thirst. Throughout the night, Yibo had made trips back and forth between the kitchen and his room to bring Zhan whatever he needed, which left their sleep fragmented.
Zhan didn't wake again until around 10 a.m. Granny had already left with Wang Dad to attend to some matters. After showering, Zhan dressed in fitted jeans that hugged his slender legs and a loose white long-sleeved shirt. The faint scent of body mist clinging to him as he walked out. Feeling quite hungry, he headed straight to the dining area, softly calling Fang's name as he went.
By the time he reached the dining table, Fang appeared, bowing slightly with respect. "I'm here, sir."
"Bring me some hot tea, Fang, and the leftover samosas from yesterday."
"Right away," Fang replied, turning toward the kitchen.
Zhan settled into a chair, pulling a plate toward him and serving himself some fried potatoes cooked with kidney sauce. He started eating, eagerly waiting for the tea to complement the warmth of his meal.
Just then, Bei emerged from her room, glancing at Zhan with a mischievous smile. "Good morning, Mr. Marshal's darling."
Zhan responded with a look, choosing not to speak.
Bei laughed and, instead of walking away, came closer. "Oh, so you're only answering with your eyes now, Marshal baby?"
Finishing a bite of his meal, Zhan finally opened his mouth. "Who's the big man if I'm supposed to be the baby?"
Before Bei could respond, Zhan felt someone lean over him from behind. It was Yibo, who placed a light kiss on the side of Zhan's face and, with his deep, signature voice, said, "You are—the one and only Mr. Wang Xiao Zhan."
Bei laughed even harder, teasing, "Don't let him fool you, Zhan. Tell him the truth, Yibo!"
Zhan shot her a sharp look, silently asking, When did you stop liking me? The look made Bei backtrack with a grin. "I never stopped liking you, my dear Zhan! I'm just being honest."
Yibo took a seat next to Zhan, intertwining their fingers as he turned to Bei. "Are you going to let him eat in peace, or will you keep hovering? Whether anyone likes it or not, Zhan-ge is and will always be the only one in Marshal Xiao Wang Yibo's heart—the one and only for Mr. Wang Xiao Zhan."
Both Zhan and Bei looked at him simultaneously, their reactions contrasting. Bei's face lit up with joy, while Zhan's expression was a mixture of surprise and something he couldn't quite identify—was it happiness or something entirely new?
Without missing a beat, Yibo casually said, "Zhan-ge, serve me some food. I'm heading out soon."
Zhan looked at him, momentarily amazed at how easily Yibo gave orders without hesitation. But then again, Zhan had known Yibo since childhood and understood he had always been spoiled—pampered by Granny, Grandma, and his own mother, who had made sure Yibo never had to lift a finger.
Slightly flustered by how intensely Yibo's gaze affected him, Zhan averted his eyes. He withdrew his hand from Yibo's grip, stood up, and served him food on a plate just as Fang arrived with the tea. Zhan took the tea, poured some for Yibo, and returned to his seat to continue eating.
As he ate, his mind swirled with emotions he couldn't quite define. All he knew was that there was a newfound peace in his heart—a calmness he hadn't felt in a long time.
As Zhan ate his meal in a quiet mood, his mind wandering far from the present, it took until Yibo finished his meal and stood up before he gently looked at him with concern. "I'm leaving, take care of things here," he said, walking away while answering a call about the Visa issue, which was the cause of the delay in Zhan's trip. It should have been yesterday, but now they would have to leave tomorrow instead.
Once Yibo left, Zhan let out a slow sigh, closing his eyes briefly. He then took a sip of water before standing up and heading to Bei's room. When he entered, he sat next to her, remaining silent for several minutes before shifting slightly and finally speaking, his voice low. "Bei, do you think I can do it?"
Bei exhaled slowly, taking her time before responding softly, "Zhan, if you want peace in your marriage and a stable life with your husband, you must give yourself the strength. Your heart desires him—why not give yourself the courage to try? Let go of everything, start fresh, and live a married life filled with care and love. That way, you'll receive all his affection, a love his words can't even express."
Bei paused, sensing the weight of Zhan's feelings. "You deeply love Yibo, and you would do anything to make him love you back, but it won't happen if you let your doubts take over. He loves you despite your flaws, he even can't see all the mistakes or the anger you hold. I'm not sure when or how it started, but now, he truly cares for you. However, if you don't hold onto what you have, you might lose it, because there are others waiting for a chance to be with him, to take your place."
Bei paused and looked at him seriously, her tone now more urgent. "I'm telling you this as your friend, as your sister, not as Yibo's sibling. You've found something that many never get to, but some of your traits could hinder your marriage if you don't change. Yibo comes from a different background, a life that's used to flexibility and freedom, especially from the European way of living. He's not the type to stick to rigid boundaries, so if you don't adjust, your relationship could falter."
Zhan remained quiet, his thoughts consumed by what Bei said. The biggest question that weighed heavily on his mind was Yibo's love for him. When did it begin? Could love really blossom between them so strongly? Would they both find peace in their relationship, despite all the complexities they faced?
Zhanxianyibo 💚❤️💛