Zhan carried Yibo to the balcony and knelt beside him. "Aren't you going inside?" he asked softly. Shivering, Yibo replied, "I can't… Please call Mu Qin for me." Zhan glanced at the sitting room door, then helped Yibo up and knocked. Quentin opened the door, his face full of concern.
"What happened?" he asked.
Yibo lowered his head while Zhan explained, "He fell in Nainai's sitting room."
Without saying another word, Quentin stepped aside to let them in. As Zhan guided Yibo to the couch, Quentin said, "Take him to his room instead." Zhan nodded and carried Yibo to his bedroom. Quentin followed and opened the door for them. Zhan gently laid Yibo on the bed.
Quentin asked, "Where's your ointment?"
Yibo, on the verge of tears, replied, "It's on the dining table."
Quentin left and returned moments later with the heating cream in a tube. Zhan took it from him and said, "I'll apply it for him Bobo." Kneeling beside the bed, Zhan focused on Yibo's leg. Quentin exited the room, shutting the door behind him.
Yibo whimpered, "Gege, please be gentle."
Zhan gave him a look before squeezing some cream onto his hand. Just as he was about to start, Yibo grabbed his wrist and cried, "Oh, Zhan-ge!"
Zhan shook off Yibo's hand, stood up, and firmly pushed him back onto the bed. Kneeling again, he began massaging Yibo's leg, starting from his knee down to his pale toes. Yibo clenched his eyes shut, fidgeting as Zhan worked. After about five minutes, Zhan finally stopped.
Yibo cautiously opened his eyes and saw Zhan standing, closing the cream tube. Sitting up quickly, Yibo unzipped his shirt slightly and said, "Gege, my back is next."
As he started to lower the shirt, he seemed to remember something and froze. Wide-eyed, he jumped up and exclaimed, "Wait, I'll be right back!" He dashed to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, removed his shirt, and wrapped the towel around himself before returning to the bed.
Zhan raised an eyebrow and said, "What is this now?"
Yibo widened his eyes dramatically. "I need you to rub my back! It hurts so much at night," he said, clutching a pillow and letting the towel drop.
Zhan stared at him for over ten seconds, then sighed, shaking his head. He opened the tube again, climbed onto the bed, and began massaging Yibo's shoulders and back. For nearly five minutes, he worked silently.
When Zhan stopped, he glanced at Yibo's face and noticed his eyes were closed. After sealing the tube, Zhan delivered a light smack to Yibo's foot. Startled, Yibo sat up abruptly.
"Gege! I wasn't sleeping, I swear!" he exclaimed.
Zhan averted his gaze and stood up, placing the cream on the dresser. Without another word, he left the room, locking the door behind him.
Quentin was still in the sitting room. Zhan bid him goodnight before leaving the part.
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The next morning, Yibo came out dressed and ready for his lessons. He walked into the kitchen, knowing Yuting would be there.
"Good morning, Mu Qin," he greeted her.
"Good morning," she replied. "Did you sleep well?"
Yibo tilted his head. "After what happened last night, you didn't even come to check on me. I know you weren't asleep either. I fell in Nainai's sitting room!"
Yuting replied with a small smile on her face, "I didn't come because, in my dream, I saw you grab a duvet from the closet and cover yourself."
Yibo's eyes widened as he looked at her. Then he laughed. "So it was you who tucked me in!"
Yuting smiled. "And you slept entirely uncovered," she teased.
Yibo just laughed.
"So, how did you fall last night?" Yuting asked.
"There was a plate on the floor. But then I tripped. Nainai kept yelling at us to get out, Gege had to carry me because I couldn't even stand. Nainai can be so mean sometimes," Yibo complained.
Yuting chuckled. "Well, it's good he helped. But are you keeping an eye on the time?"
Yibo quickly glanced into the sitting room to check the clock, grabbed a cup, and headed to the dining table to make tea. With just five minutes left until eight, he said goodbye to Yuting and hurried out the door.
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Since Yibo returned home at noon, he slept until nearly 3 p.m. He came out to the sitting room to get some food and saw Quentin's bag on the couch. Glancing at Yuting, who was organizing Quentin's files, he asked, "Mu Qin, is Fu Qin already going back today?"
Yuting replied, "Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Yibo stayed quiet, his mood shifting instantly. He sat beside Yuting and, in a soft voice, said, "Mu Qin, why can't we move to Shanghai with Fu Qin? I don't like it when he leaves us behind."
Yuting chuckled. "Well, you should tell him that."
Just then, Quentin came out of his room, talking on the phone. Yibo stood up, watching him like he was about to cry. When Quentin finished his call and smiled at Yibo, he asked, "What's wrong, son?"
Tears welled up in Yibo's eyes as he pleaded, "Fu Qin, let us move to Shanghai with you. You always leave us behind."
Quentin sighed and said, "One day, my dear, one day."
In a small voice, Yibo asked, "Are you going to the airport, Fu Qin?"
Quentin nodded. "Yes, I have a flight to catch."
Yibo's face lit up with hope. "Please, Fu Qin, can I come with you to the airport?"
Yuting shot Yibo a look. "What about your lessons?"
Yibo gave her his best pleading expression. Quentin said, "Why don't we go? He can be dropped off at his lesson after the airport."
With excitement, Yibo rushed to his room to get ready. After much coaxing from Yuting, he quickly ate some food, knowing he hadn't eaten earlier. Seeing Quentin leave with his bag, Yibo grabbed his plate, hurried to the kitchen, and dashed back to put on socks and shoes. Picking up his bag, he was about to leave when Yuting reminded him, "Take your laptop bag with you."
Yibo rushed back to grab it and left in a hurry, ignoring the money Yuting was calling him to take from her room.
Outside, Zhan was standing by Quentin's car, holding the keys, waiting for him to return from saying goodbye to Nainai. Meiling called out to Yibo, asking where he was going.
Yibo replied, "I'm going with Fu Qin to the airport. You all can leave without me if you're ready. Don't wait for me."
Zhan frowned. "Where do you think you're going?"
Yibo answered, "I'm going to the airport with Fu Qin. After we return, I'll be dropped off at my lesson."
Shaking his head, Zhan said sternly, "Go back inside. Do I look like your driver? Stop wasting my time."
Tears welled up in Yibo's eyes as he stared at Zhan.
Still stern, Zhan said, "Are you going to stop staring and leave, or should I make you?"
Hurt, Yibo turned and ran toward the balcony, tears streaming down his face. Seeing this, Zhan's eyes widened. "Yibo!" he called, but Yibo didn't stop.
Glancing nervously around the large compound, Zhan quickly followed. Just as Yibo was about to enter their section of the house, Zhan grabbed his arm and turned him around. Yibo burst into tears again, crying louder this time.
Panicking as he spotted Quentin returning from Nainai's room, Zhan whispered, "What's wrong with you? Are you trying to be late for your lesson?"
Through sobs, Yibo replied, "It's not even time yet."
Trying to calm him down, Zhan said, "Fine, wipe your tears, and let's go."
Yibo pouted and said, "You're only saying that because Fu Qin is coming, aren't you?"
Zhan gave him a long look before grabbing his hand and leading him back to the car.
Yibo opened the back seat, placed his laptop bag inside, and got in. Noticing Zhan's pointed look, Yibo said, "Gege, do you remember what happened that time we were going to Aunt Faixia's house?"
Zhan ignored him, turning his gaze away.
Quentin approached, having said goodbye to Yuting, and smiled at Zhan. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, son."
Zhan smiled faintly and said, "It's fine, Bobo."
Quentin opened the back door and, seeing Yibo inside, asked, "Why not sit in the front, dear?"
Yibo replied, "No, Fu Qin, I'm more comfortable here."
Quentin chuckled. "No, come to the front."
Zhan interjected, "It's fine; he said he prefers the back."
With a smile, Quentin got into the car. Zhan entered the driver's seat, and as the gate opened, he drove out of the compound.
As they got on the highway, Quentin said, "Zhan, please be patient with your grandmother. That's just how she is. Even we, her children, struggled to get along with her, let alone you, her grandchildren. You, of all people, should understand her since you've spent so much time with her. You know what she likes and dislikes. Please, I don't want to hear about any more arguments. Do you hear me?"
Zhan smiled slightly and replied, "Yes, Bobo."
Quentin turned to Yibo, who was avoiding his gaze, and said, "And you, don't let her call me again to complain that you've done something wrong to her. If she does, I won't hesitate to discipline you. Between you and her, there must be respect. No playing around just because she's your grandmother. Respect her as you would respect your mother. Do you understand?"
Yibo pouted and replied, "I've already stopped going to her sitting room... She always says I'm being disrespectful."
Quentin said firmly, "Don't even think about that. You must go and greet her every day. If she calls me to report you, I'll drop everything I'm doing and come back just to deal with you."
Yibo, on the verge of tears, replied, "But what about Zhan ge? He disrespects her too! Even Mengxi and Xinyi do!"
Through the rearview mirror, Zhan shot Yibo a sharp look, causing him to stick out his tongue at him. Quentin said, "I've already warned them, and they listen to me. You're the only one with selective hearing." Yibo sulked, looking as though he was about to cry.
The rest of the ride to the airport was silent, with Yibo sitting quietly, puffing his cheeks in frustration. They arrived at the airport around 4:30 p.m. and accompanied Quentin inside. Holding his bag, Quentin said, "Thanks for the company. I'll call you later, Zhan."
Zhan bowed slightly and replied, "Safe travels, Bobo."
Quentin smiled, then turned to Yibo, who was wiping tears from his eyes. Giving him a side hug, he said, "I'll call you later, son. I've transferred some money to your account." With that, he let go, turned around, and walked away. Yibo immediately broke into tears.
Zhan stood still, waiting until Quentin was out of sight, then turned to Yibo with a stern expression. "Why don't you just follow him, then?" he said.
Yibo glanced at him sideways, still crying, and said nothing. Zhan clicked his tongue in annoyance and started walking away. When Yibo saw him leaving, he quickly wiped his tears and ran after him.
He caught up to Zhan in the airport courtyard, where he was greeting someone. Stepping aside, Yibo glanced around and noticed a man standing by his car, arms crossed, wearing dark sunglasses and staring in his direction. He couldn't tell if he was looking at him, but he quickly averted his gaze.
A few seconds later, curiosity got the better of him, and he stole another glance. The man was still looking his way. Nervously, he turned away again.
Unable to resist, Yibo looked at him again. This time, the man removed his sunglasses and stared directly at him. His heart raced, and he quickly turned away, trying to remember where he had seen him before. Not giving up, he sneaked another glance and saw him smile, his dimples showing. He slid his hands into his pockets and tilted his head, still looking at him.
Zhan, who had finished his conversation, turned and saw Yibo staring at the man like he was watching a TV show. Walking over to him, he asked, "Do you have any business with him?"
Yibo pouted and replied, "Well, he's staring at me too."
Zhan frowned and said, "Move along before I slap some sense into you." Rolling his eyes, he walked toward the car, and Zhan followed. He opened the front seat and turned to look at the man, who was still staring at him.
Zhan snapped, "Are you losing it?" Yibo pouted again, got into the car, and slammed the door. Zhan got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove out of the airport.
After they had driven for some time, Yibo spotted a stand selling ice cream. Excitedly, he turned to Zhan and said, "Zhan ge!"
Zhan glanced at him. Yibo gave him a pleading look and said, "Please buy me some ice cream!"
Zhan asked, "I Should buy you ice cream?"
Yibo stayed quiet, looking at him. Zhan continued, "Did you give me money for it?" Yibo pouted, saying nothing. Without another word, Zhan sped past the ice cream stand.
As they continued driving, Yibo watched him intently, then said, "What about my lesson?"
Zhan replied curtly, "Unless you're walking from here, don't expect me to take you. I'm not your driver."
When they neared their neighborhood, Zhan parked the car three houses away from their home. Without looking at him, he said, "Get out."
Yibo opened the door and stormed out, heading for the gate. Zhan waited until he saw Yibo enter the house before driving up to the gate himself. The guard opened it, and he parked inside.
Yibo, who had already reached the sitting room door, didn't acknowledge Zhan as he walked in. Yuting, who was seated in the room, looked at him and asked, "You're back? Didn't you go to your lesson, Yibo?"
Quietly, Yibo replied, "Zhan ge refused to take me."
Yuting raised an eyebrow. "And you're just going to sit here and complain about it? Go on, continue."
Yibo said nothing, lowering his head as Yuting left for her room, leaving him alone in the sitting room.
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Some hours later, Yibo lay on the couch, flipping through TV channels. Yuting called out to him from the kitchen. Placing the remote down, he got up and headed toward her.
She pointed at a basket of food meant for Nainai and said, "Take this to her."
Yibo hesitated, his face showing reluctance. "But Mu Qin, didn't Fu Qin already warn me about visiting her when we took him to the airport earlier?"
Yuting shrugged. "And so?"
He softened his tone. "I don't want to upset her again and have her complain to him."
Yuting crossed her arms. "So, am I supposed to deliver her food now?"
On the verge of tears, Yibo whined, "I told you, I'm never going to her part of the house again."
Yuting rolled her eyes. "Fine, just leave it outside her door."
Yibo picked up the basket reluctantly and left. Seth and Xinyi were sitting in Nainai's part of the house when Yibo entered, setting the basket down.
He glanced at Seth and greeted, "Good afternoon, Seth-ge."
Seth smiled. "No legs pains today, Yibo?"
Nainai turned sharply to Seth. "What kind of terrible remark is that? Are you wishing ill on him? Do you want his leg to hurt so badly? You people from the Zong wing have no filter. Please watch your mouths."
Seth laughed. "It was just a question, Nainai."
She ignored him and turned to Yibo, handing him a bag. "Here, Zhan brought this for you earlier. Sit here, open it, and share with everyone. After all, you always keep a close eye on others' things."
Yibo quickly opened the bag to reveal a steaming, delicious-smelling roasted chicken. He glanced toward the door, then stole a glance at Nainai, who was busy cleaning plates. Without a word, he grabbed the bag and bolted out of the room at lightning speed.
Nainai stood there, speechless, her plate in hand. Seth burst out laughing.
Nainai, almost tearing up, exclaimed, "This is exactly why people complain about him. Why run off like a kangaroo just because of some chicken? What's the big deal? Is it the last chicken on Earth?"
Seth was doubled over with laughter as Nainai wiped her eyes, muttering, "What kind of person hoards chicken like that? Does he think eating an entire chicken in one go will make him gain weight overnight? And Zhan—he must've known he's stingy! That's why he brought it, knowing he wouldn't share. And look, I was right. He didn't share!"
Xinyi chimed in, "Why did Zhan-ge even buy it for him when he doesn't even greet him properly in this house?"
Nainai sighed dramatically. "Who knows? All I know is, I didn't get any chicken, and I'm not happy about it."
The following Monday, the new driver that Zong hired took them to school.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛