Zhan finally let go of Yibo but kept staring at him for a moment before turning around and heading for the door. Yibo watched him leave, wiping away the tears that had silently fallen from his eyes. He then sat down on the edge of the bed, feeling drained.
Barely five minutes after Zhan left, Nainai entered the room and said, "Get up, we're leaving. Zong wants to see you. He's going to put an end to this situation with Zhan today. I don't want him stepping foot in my house again now that he's returned to his own. I'm relieved to be rid of him, yet he keeps showing up like he left something important behind!"
Yibo sighed and said, "He didn't do anything to me, and I never asked you to tell Bobo anything. It's my fault for not greeting him first, and I've already let it go."
Nainai gaped at him in shock, but Yibo simply stood up, heading toward the door. "You always run to Bobo without waiting to hear the full story…" With that, he left, leaving Nainai standing there, speechless.
Yibo carefully opened the sitting room door, his heart pounding as he recalled Zhan's threat to tell his Fu Qin. The thought alone unsettled him, though he knew Zhan had only said it to scare him—he wouldn't actually follow through. Inside, Yuting was the only one in the sitting room, watching TV. He sat down on the floor and greeted her.
She glanced at him. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm better now, Mu Qin," he replied.
"Good. There's food in the kitchen if you want some," she offered.
"I already ate at Nainai's," he said, shaking his head. Yuting didn't say anything else, so Yibo stood up and went to his room. He walked over to his phone, which was lying on his dresser, and hesitated before picking it up. His heart pounded as he unlocked the screen and saw multiple missed calls and a new message. The missed calls were from Sen Wen, just a few minutes ago. When he opened the text, his eyes widened in shock. He reread it multiple times, his expression growing more and more troubled. Eventually, he frowned as if he were about to cry.
After sitting there for ten minutes, Yibo finally forwarded the message to Suyue. Once he confirmed it had been sent, he quickly deleted the entire conversation from his phone. Taking a deep breath, he forced a small smile, stood up, removed his shirt, folded it neatly, turned off the lights, and lay down to sleep.
The next morning, which was a Monday, Yibo felt much better. He got ready for school, gathering a few textbooks to take with him. Just as he was about to leave, his phone lit up with a notification. He walked over to check and saw a message from Suyue asking him to join her on WhatsApp for a chat. He quickly replied, telling her he'd message her after school, then set his phone down and left the room.
At 3:40 PM, Yibo and Mian Mian walked out of school together. She had been chatting with him nonstop, continuing a story she had started before they left class. As they approached the parking area, they saw Sen Wen leaning against his car, arms crossed, wearing sunglasses. Yibo's stomach dropped at the sight.
Mian Mian widened her eyes in surprise. "Sen Wen as a chauffeur? Interesting…" she remarked playfully.
Yibo remained silent. Mian Mian then smiled at him and said, "I guess I'll continue the story tomorrow, Yibo."
Her younger siblings had already climbed into the car. Just as she was about to get in herself, she paused and turned back to Yibo. "Aren't you going to greet my brother?"
Yibo hesitated before finally turning to Sen Wen. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Sen Wen spoke first, his tone calm but unreadable. "Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon," Yibo replied in low voice.
Sen Wen gave him a small nod before getting into the driver's seat, starting the car, and driving off.
🔹▫️🔸
Later that same day, after Yibo returned from his lessons, he noticed a missed call from Sen Wen. At first, he hesitated to call back, unsure of what to say. After gathering his courage, he slowly dialed the number and placed the phone against his ear.
As soon as it started ringing, Sen Wen cut the call and immediately called back. Yibo took a deep breath and answered.
"Are you ignoring my calls now?" Sen Wen asked without preamble.
Yibo's eyes widened. "No! I wasn't near my phone. We just got back from lessons. And last night, I was at Nainai's house while my phone was here."
"Oh," Sen Wen said. "I thought you were avoiding me, so I didn't bother showing up today. How are you feeling?"
"I'm much better now," Yibo said, tilting his head slightly.
"Good," Sen Wen replied.
A brief silence followed. Yibo struggled to think of what to say. Finally, Sen Wen broke the quiet. "Did you see my message, or are you just pretending not to?"
Yibo forced a small, nervous laugh. "I saw it… but…" He hesitated. "I can try to do as you asked, but I don't think I can go through with it completely."
Sen Wen chuckled and said, "Oh, okay then..."
Yibo pouted but didn't say anything. Sen Wen said, "I'll call you later, I have to go."
Yibo replied, "See you later," and ended the call.
Thursday Morning
After getting ready for school, Yibo found Yuting in the kitchen and said softly, "Mu Qin, since there are no lessons today, when I get back from school, I'd like to visit Wei Po and then take an invitation card to Xia."
Yuting frowned slightly and said, "Didn't you tell me yesterday that you have lessons both Thursday and Friday evening?"
Yibo widened his eyes and quickly said, "No, the lessons are only on Friday, both morning and evening."
Yuting pursed her lips and said, "Then call your father and tell him. I'm not the one you should be informing."
Yibo grinned and said, "I already told him last night."
Yuting nodded. "Alright then, be safe."
"Thanks," Yibo murmured, pouring tea into a cup before taking his plate of toast bread and eggs to the dining table.
When Yibo returned from school that afternoon, he barely ate before taking a shower and changing into a black top and a long coat. He walked into the sitting room, where Yuting glanced at him and said, "Don't stay out too late, Yibo."
Yibo widened his eyes. "Mu Qin, I already told Fu Qin that I'd be spending the night there."
Yuting raised an eyebrow. "Spending the night?"
Yibo pouted. "Yes, Mu Qin. I told him already, you can call and ask him."
Yuting sighed. "I don't care what you told him. You'll go, greet Wei Po, drop off the invitation with Xia, and then come back home. Am I clear?"
Yibo stayed silent, looking at her as if he might cry. Yuting ignored him and went back to what she was doing.
Finally, Yibo muttered, "Fine, I'll be back soon."
Yuting didn't look up. "Just make sure you're not out too late."
Yibo huffed and walked out of the sitting room without another word.
When Yibo arrived at Wei Po's house, he greeted her quickly and said, "I'm in a hurry. I need to go to Xia's house to deliver the invitation card."
Wei Po, watching him carefully, said, "Alright then. How's your boyfriend, Sen Wen?"
Yibo giggled. "He's fine. He's actually taking me to Xia's house, but don't tell Mu Qin."
Wei Po smiled. "Oh? So you're together, but he didn't come in to greet me?"
Yibo shook his head. "No, he's on his way."
Wei Po nodded. "Alright. Be safe. How's Zhan doing with his finance?"
Yibo pouted. "I don't know."
Wei Po raised an eyebrow. "You haven't visited him?"
Yibo sighed. "We went once with Nainai, but his finance is rude. I don't plan on ever going there again."
Wei Po clicked her tongue. "That's unfortunate. But Yibo, you can't just decide never to visit your brother again."
Before Yibo could respond, his phone rang. Seeing that it was Sen Wen, he stood up and said, "I'll be back."
Wei Po chuckled. "He's already here?"
Yibo nodded.
Wei Po waved him off. "Alright, be careful on the road."
Yibo left the sitting room and headed outside, where Sen Wen was waiting in his car. Yibo opened the front passenger door and sat inside.
Sen Wen glanced at him and smiled. "You look great, but why do you always have to wear those long jackets?"
Yibo stayed silent, staring out the window.
Sen Wen chuckled. "Come on, get in properly."
Slowly, Yibo adjusted his position and buckled his seatbelt without looking at him.
As Sen Wen started driving, he asked, "So, we're dropping off Xia's invitation first?"
Yibo nodded.
Sen Wen drove in silence, occasionally glancing at Yibo from the corner of his eye. They arrived at Xia's house after a fifteen-minute drive.
Sen Wen turned to Yibo and said softly, "Be quick, Yibo."
Yibo nodded and stepped out of the car, walking towards the house. Sen Wen watched him go, then leaned back in his seat, resting his head against the car.
After a moment, he sighed and pulled out his phone.
When the call connected, he spoke in a cool, calm voice. "Su Changhe… I think I'm just going to pass on this one. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but I'm backing out of the deal."
His best friend, Su Changhe, listened in surprise and said, "I don't get you, Sen Wen..."
Sen Wen remained silent for a moment before calmly replying, "I can't bring him to that place. He's more than decent and innocent. And even though I've never had bad intentions toward him... I'm sorry for the disappointment, but I'll compensate for this deal with whatever amount you guys require."
Su Changhe scoffed, "You're sick. So, what, we don't know what we're doing now? We don't know how to take care of our own girlfriends? What's the point of all this, Sen Wen? After all the necessary arrangements, you come here with this nonsense? This isn't like you at all. Just like on your birthday... suddenly, you said he's sick, he can't come.' What, so our girlfriends are just bottled water to you?"
Sen Wen merely smiled and said nothing. He could still hear his friends chatting away in the guest inn, but in the end, he hung up. Instead, he dialed Mian Mian's number. As soon as she picked up, he told her to meet him at a high-end restaurant in the next fifteen minutes. Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.
When Yibo stepped out of his cousin's house, he opened the car door and looked at Sen Wen apologetically. "Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Sen Wen simply smiled without saying a word.
Yibo got into the car, and Sen Wen started driving. Once they were on the main road, Sen Wen instinctively reached out and held Yibo's hand as if he was about to say something. Both of them froze in shock, and Sen Wen quickly let go. Neither of them spoke for the rest of the ride.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Sen Wen noticed Mian Mian's car parked outside.
With a small smile, he turned to Yibo. "Let's go."
Yibo quietly stepped out, shutting the car door behind him. He followed Sen Wen into the restaurant, where only a few people were dining in the elegant space.
Sen Wen immediately spotted Mian Mian sitting at a table, engrossed in her phone. She was dressed in chic Western-style clothes.
Yibo, noticing Mian Mian, looked slightly confused, while Sen Wen gave him a knowing glance. "Come on."
Without hesitation, Yibo followed him toward the table.
Mian Mian had already noticed Sen Wen but hadn't realized he wasn't alone. Seeing someone trailing behind him, she smiled to herself. Oh, so Sen Wen ge finally settled down? It's been days since he's introduced a new catch to me—I was beginning to think he had changed. So, who's this one now? Someone in innocent clothes?
The thought amused her. She knew Sen Wen wasn't a fan of modest outfits on women, always preferring something more revealing.
As they reached the table, Sen Wen pulled out a chair for Yibo and gestured for him to sit. Yibo, still eyeing Mian Mian curiously, took the seat. Sen Wen then sat across from him.
Mian Mian put down her phone and, as usual, began speaking the way she always did whenever she met one of Sen Wen's girls.
With a teasing smile, she said, "So, big brother says today we finally get to meet the future wif...."
She froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening in shock as she got a clear look at Yibo. Then, she turned to Sen Wen, completely speechless, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.
Sen Wen, completely unfazed, leaned back in his chair and, in a calm voice, said, "Meet my soulmate, the future father of my angels."
Mian Mian was at a complete loss for words, while Yibo lowered his head in silence. Sen Wen spoke gently, "You don't like it, Lil Sis?"
Blinking rapidly, Mian Mian said, "I don't get this, Sen Wen Ge. Are you serious?"
With a soft smile, he replied, "Of course. My future husband, Yibo, is his name."
Mian Mian jumped up excitedly and hugged Yibo, overjoyed. "Wow! I'm really happy, Gege! But why didn't you two ever tell me? Why did you hide it from me, please?"
Yibo simply smiled, saying nothing.
A waitress approached, asking for their order. Sen Wen responded, "Just drinks." Then he looked at his sister and said, "Alright, let go of him before you knock him over."
Mian Mian laughed heartily before finally releasing Yibo and sitting back down, her eyes shining with happiness. It wasn't long before their drinks arrived. Yibo kept glancing at Mian Mian, who couldn't hide her excitement. She playfully scolded them for deceiving her, reminding them how Sen Wen always pretended not to recognize Yibo, when in reality, he had known him better than she did.
Sen Wen, on the other hand, just kept looking at Yibo with affection. At that moment, he realized he had made a mistake in agreeing to a public proposal at a guest inn, surrounded by his reckless friends... friends who, ironically, were even less wild than he was. And after the proposal? A party. A party with all kinds of wine, a must-drink occasion… Just the thought of people ogling his soulmate made his mood shift instantly.
Mian Mian poured a drink into a disposable cup, then handed it to Yibo with a big smile. "Here… Future in-law…"
Yibo accepted it with a small smile.
Mian Mian filled her own cup and took a sip before turning to Sen Wen. "You can serve yourself."
He chuckled and poured his own drink.
As Mian Mian sipped her drink, she started wondering about Yibo and Sen Wen's relationship. She knew Yibo well.... he would never let Sen Wen kiss or even hug him. So how was her brother handling this? Sen Wen, the man she knew, couldn't survive without physical affection. The thought made her laugh. How did this relationship even work?
Sen Wen set down his half-finished drink and said, "You two should tell me what you need for the quiz on Saturday."
"Good!" Mian Mian grinned. "Once we get home, I'll make a list. We need a lot of things!"
Sen Wen chuckled, already knowing she would write down both necessary and unnecessary items. After spending about thirty minutes at the café, he checked the time and stood up. "It's past six. I'll take him home."
Mian Mian nodded. "Alright then. I'm really happy about this, Gege. I hope everything goes well."
"Thank you," he replied before they left the café. As they stepped outside, she added, "Please don't take too long!"
Yibo refused to look at her, while Sen Wen only smiled. "Sure, just a few months from now."
Mian Mian beamed. She was thrilled that Sen Wen was going to marry her best friend. She waved at Yibo as she headed toward their family's car, where the driver had been waiting. "See you at lessons tomorrow morning, in-law!"
Sen Wen opened the back door for Yibo, watching him closely. Yibo hesitated before finally getting in.
Sen Wen smiled slightly. "Don't worry, get in. I don't mind being your driver."
Yibo gave him a small smile and entered the car. Sen Wen shut the door, got into the driver's seat, and pulled out of the café's parking lot.
As he drove, he asked, "Should I drop you off at Wei Po's place or take you home?"
"Home," Yibo replied. "I'll call her and let her know I'm heading back."
"Alright."
When they reached his neighborhood, Sen Wen parked two houses away from Yibo's home. Then he turned off the car, opened the door, and slid into the back seat beside Yibo.
Yibo lowered his head, his heart pounding. His biggest fear was that Zhan might be somewhere nearby and see him in Sen Wen's car, even though the windows were tinted.
Sen Wen smiled faintly. "I think I don't need to propose in front of my friends. Just me and you…"
Yibo remained silent, avoiding his gaze.
Sen Wen pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing a ring. Yibo's heart pounded even harder as he looked down. Sen Wen gently took his hand and slipped the ring onto his finger.
Yibo felt his breath hitch. His heart was racing, his mind spinning. The scent of Sen Wen filled the small space between them, overwhelming him. Before he could react, he felt Sen Wen's lips press against his.
In that instant, Yibo panicked. He had never been more afraid in his life.
Tears welled in his eyes as he quickly pushed Sen Wen away. The moment Sen Wen pulled back, his own heart was pounding just as hard. He rested his forehead against Yibo's shoulder and whispered, "I… I… I'm sorry, Yibo…"
Yibo immediately moved away, forcing Sen Wen to lift his head. Without another word, Yibo opened the car door and rushed out.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛