Hello my dear readers, I hope you're all doing well.
I want to start updating this fanfiction, but I'm a bit worried about complaints....because, as I mentioned earlier, the Yizhan moments won't happen right away.
So, if you know you don't have the patience to wait, please kindly don't start reading yet. Wait until it's complete. And if you're going to constantly complain, it's better not to read at all. But to those of you who are patient and willing to read whatever nonsense I write...let's go!
From the beginning, I've always said I'm a slow-burn writer. All of my stories are very different from what you might be used to. I write in the form of long novels, prose-style, because I originally wrote them in my native language and culture, with its own norms. Also, they were all written as straight romances. If I want to turn them into boys' love fanfiction, I have to do a lot of cutting and rewriting.
I have many novels, and I want to adapt them all into Yizhan stories. I won't talk too much....I'll start updating, but only on weekends. The story is very long... so long that I'll have to split it into Part 1 and Part 2, with each chapter being around 8,000 to 9,000 words.
If you're ready and have the patience... let's do this!
THE ENGAGEMENT DAY
The Wang family mansion was abuzz with activity as the engagement ceremony of Wang Zhan and Dr. Wen Kexing unfolded. Lanterns adorned the garden, casting a warm golden glow that complemented the serene evening sky. The air was filled with the scent of jasmine and the murmur of soft conversations as both families gathered for the special occasion.
Zhan stood in front of a mirror, adjusting his white silk outfit, his hands slightly trembling. He sighed, looking at himself. Why am I doing this? he thought but quickly masked his emotions with a smile as his mother Lan Yi entered the room.
"Zhan," she said gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know this isn't easy for you, but Dr. Wen Kexing is a good man. He'll make you happy."
Zhan gave her a small nod, though his heart felt heavy. "I'll do my best, Mama," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Downstairs, the Wang family was seated alongside the Wen family. Dr. Kexing, dressed impeccably in a tailored dark blue suit, exuded a calm confidence. His expression softened when Zhan entered the room, escorted by his father, Wang Qiren.
The family elder, Fang Yu, cleared her throat to signal the start of the ceremony. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate the union of two families and the promise of a beautiful future together," she announced, her voice steady and warm.
Dr. Kexing stepped forward, holding a small velvet box. His gaze met Zhan's, steady and reassuring. "Zhan," he began, his voice deep but kind, "I know this hurried engagement wasn't something you chose, but I promise to respect you, support you, and stand by your side. Will you accept this ring as a symbol of our commitment?"
Zhan's chest tightened as all eyes fell on him. He glanced at his parents, then at Fang Yu, whose encouraging smile gave him a hint of comfort. Finally, he looked at Dr. Kexing, whose sincerity was evident.
Taking a deep breath, Zhan nodded. "Yes, I will."
The room erupted into applause as Dr. Kexing slid the ring onto Zhan's finger. Despite his initial reservations, Zhan couldn't ignore the warmth in Kexing's eyes, a silent promise of understanding and patience.
Fang Yu clapped her hands together. "Now that the formalities are complete, let's celebrate with food and music!"
As the families mingled, Zhan found himself standing beside his fiance Dr. Kexing, who handed him a glass of juice. "You did well," Dr. Kexing said softly, his tone laced with genuine admiration.
Zhan glanced at him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Thank you... for being patient with me."
"It's only the beginning," Dr. Kexing replied, his voice steady. "We'll figure this out together."
For the first time that evening, Zhan felt a flicker of hope.
🔸▪️▫️🔹
"Yibo, here, take this and deposit it into your account..." said Mr. Wang, handing a bundle of money to the young man sitting in the living room. Yibo stood up, took the money from his father, and sat back down, turning it over in his hands. Scratching the back of his head with a small smile, he said, "Well, let's hope I don't end up spending it all on my usual expenses."
Lan Yi shook her head with a soft smile and, in her gentle voice, replied, "Well, you're closer to him, so I suppose it makes sense." Mr. Wang turned to the young man sitting on the couch, no older than twenty-two, and said, "I hope everything work out for the best, my son."
Zhan, meanwhile, kept his gaze lowered, fiddling with the edge of his shirt, saying nothing. Lan Yi then said, "Alright, go and get some rest now..."
It was only then that Zhan raised his large eyes to look at his parents. "Goodnight," he said softly. Mr. Wang and Lan Yi responded in unison, "Goodnight, have a wonderful night rest dear."
Zhan turned to his older brothers sitting in the large living room and bid them goodnight as well. Rising, he walked to the door and exited. Lan Yi sighed deeply and, in a soft voice, said, "Thank goodness. Hope everything continue to go well, and the heavens protected us from worries we cannot foresee."
Yibo, watching her with curiosity, didn't say anything but seemed intrigued. Lan Yi, noticing his expression, smiled knowingly and said, "You're wondering why I plan to marry my youngest child first before yours, aren't you?"
Mr. Wang interjected, "The same day as yours-don't worry about it."
Yibo, slightly surprised, said, "Oh, I didn't know. Well, may we all live to see the day in good health." Hai Kuan and Lee, also seated in the living room, responded with, "Amen."
Yibo got up, wished his parents goodnight, and headed upstairs, followed by the others, except for Lee, who went into his bedroom downstairs.
Zhan stood in the walkway leading to the bedrooms, leaning against the wall. Yibo approached and noticed tears in his eyes. Surprised, he asked, "What happened?"
As if waiting for him to ask, Zhan broke into sobs, sinking to the floor. Hai Kuan walked over, looked at him, and asked, "What's wrong?"
With a trembling voice, Zhan replied, "Am I really going to marry someone older than me, Gege?"
Hai Kuan glanced at Yibo before walking past them to his bedroom. Yibo crouched down to face Zhan and said gently, "Who told you that? You're just going away for a short break; you'll be back soon. After all, we can't survive without your cooking in this house."
Zhan started wiping his tears, looking at Yibo as he smiled reassuringly. Yibo added, "But didn't you bring that man into this house yourself? No one else did, right?"
Zhan glanced at the money in Yibo's hands, stood up abruptly, and said, "Well, hand over that money so I can put it in my account. I don't trust you not to spend it all!"
Yibo stared at him, dumbfounded, as Zhan quickly walked away, laughing. Shaking his head, Yibo headed to his room.
Later, as Zhan was about to sleep, his phone rang on the vanity table. He picked it up, glanced at the screen, and answered, "Good evening, sir."
In his calm tone, Dr. Kexing replied, "Good evening, Zhan." His voice made his heart race, and he instinctively lowered his gaze even though Dr. Kexing couldn't see him.
"Are you done with your defense slides?" he asked.
"No, I wanted you to review them first before I continue," Zhan replied softly.
"That's thoughtful of you," he said.
Silence lingered for a few seconds before Dr. Kexing asked, "How's your parents?"
"They're doing well," Zhan replied.
"That's good to hear. I'll be traveling tomorrow, so I'm turning in early. Do you have anything else to discuss?"
Zhan shook his head slightly, replying, "No. Have a good night."
"Goodnight," Dr. Kexing said before ending the call.
Zhan stared at the screen for a moment, realizing Dr Kexing was waiting for him to bring up the wedding gift himself. Sighing, he placed the phone down, slipped under the covers, and went to sleep.
▪️🔸🔹▫️
The next morning at 8 a.m., Zhan entered the living room to find Hai Kuan having breakfast alone at the dining table. He walked over and greeted him.
Hai Kuan looked up, nodded, and replied, "How was your night?"
"Good, thank you," he said before falling silent. Hai Kuan continued sipping his tea when Zhan broke the silence. "Why are you having breakfast so early? You're not heading to court today, are you, Gege?"
Without looking at him, Hai Kuan replied, "I'm traveling today."
Zhan nodded and said softly, "You look cute Kuan-ge."
Hai Kuan looked up at him, expressionless. Zhan widened his eyes at him playfully. "Yes," he said with a small smile.
Lan Yi came out of the kitchen and, seeing Zhan standing by the dining area, asked, "Don't you have lectures today, Zhan?"
"It's Saturday, Mama," Zhan replied. he then sat at the table and turned to Hai Kuan. "Gege, can I join you?"
Hai Kuan pushed the coffee closer to him and placed the sugar in front of him too.
_________________________________
Despite his immense wealth, Mr. Wang never left the neighborhood where he was born. It was here he grew up and started his life with Lan Yi after their marriage. Despite the modesty of the area, Mr. Wang remained tied to it, living among others like himself. It was in this neighborhood that both his parents passed away when Zhan was only two years old.
The arrival of Zhan seemed to open doors of fortune for Mr. Wang. On a business trip to Haikou, Hainan-Lan Yi's hometown-fate began to turn in their favor. With Hai Kuan, who was ten, and Yibo, who was eight, left in the care of their grandparents, the couple took three-year-old Lee with them on the trip and leave the rest to Mrs.Wang Mother Fang Yu who live in Beijing to shield the older children from potential hardship.
During their ten months in Haikou, Zhan inter their life. Shortly after, Mr. Wang's business dealing in Shanghai flourished unexpectedly, making him a millionaire within months.
When Zhan was two, the family returned to Beijing, now wealthy enough to build a grand mansion in Mr. Wang's birthplace. His home was the largest in the area, and his generosity extended to the community, with water fountains for public use and regular donations on Wednesdays and Fridays. The house became a hub of activity, with neighbors frequently coming for assistance.
By the time Zhan turned six, his grandparents from Mr. Wang's side had passed away within the same year.
_________________________________
Zhan was in the kitchen washing dishes from breakfast when he overheard their neighbor, Mrs. Shang, chatting with Lan Yi.
"Only five weeks left until the wedding," Mrs. Shang remarked. "And it's the same day as Yibo's wedding?"
"Yes," Lan Yi confirmed, "we decided to combine the celebrations."
"That's wonderful," Mrs. Shang said warmly. "I hope everything go smoothly and bring blessings."
Lan Yi responded with a smile.
Zhan continued washing dishes slowly, her words lingering in his mind. He hadn't known the exact date until now and suddenly wished the wedding could be postponed for another year or two-perhaps until he was 23.
After finishing the dishes, Zhan retreated to his room and lay on his bed, feeling restless and uneasy.
A few hours later, the family gathered for lunch. Mr. Wang, Lan Yi, Hai Kuan, and Lee sat around the dining table, but Yibo was absent. Zhan was merely playing with his food, barely eating.
Lan Yi frowned at him. "What's the matter, Zhan? Why aren't you eating?"
Zhan looked up at her and then at his father, who was now watching him as well. Offering a faint smile, he said, "I had something to eat earlier, Mama. I'm not hungry now."
Lan Yi sighed. "If you're not going to eat, cover it so we can give it to someone else."
Zhan obediently placed a plate over his food, stood up, and left the dining area. Quietly, he made his way to Yibo's room, finding him lounging on his bed, talking on the phone with his fiancée.
Zhan sat down in a single chair by the corner, waiting for Yibo to finish. When Yibo noticed him, he ended the call. "I'll call you back later, dear," he said before turning to Zhan. "What's wrong?"
Zhan avoided his brother's gaze, his voice trembling as he said, "Gege, I don't think I want to get married anymore." Tears welled up in his eyes as he continued, "I feel so anxious. Maybe I'm too young for this."
Yibo sighed and said gently, "It's natural to feel nervous, Zhan. It's the fear of leaving Mama and Baba. But trust me, this is the right time. You're in your final year of University, and this is the best moment to start this new chapter."
"But why can't I wait until I finish all my studies?" Zhan asked, his voice shaking.
Yibo glanced at his ringing phone and said, "We'll talk about this tomorrow, okay? I need to take this call."
Zhan stood up quietly and left the room, feeling even more uncertain.
After Zhan finished preparing to sleep around 9 PM, his phone rang. He picked it up and checked the caller ID before answering. Remaining silent, he listened as Dr. Kexing greeted him.
Zhan replied, "Good evening."
Dr. Kexing said, "I told you I was traveling today, but you chose not to call me at all..."
Zhan's eyes widened, and he quickly softened his voice, saying, "I'm so sorry, sir. I forgot..."
Dr. Kexing replied sarcastically, "You do well, good job!" then he cancel the call.
🔹▫️▪️🔸
On Monday morning, Zhan was seated in his department with his close friend Ji Li and another classmate. They had been teasing him non-stop about being "next month's groom." Zhan, however, pretended to focus on the handout in his hands, ignoring them entirely. Deep inside, he regretted ever telling Ji Li about his engagement. Since that day, Ji Li had made sure to spread the news, and it seemed like the whole department now knew.
A few inches away, another group of three students sat chatting. Sui, one of the women in her late twenties, adjusted her posture, looking at her friends with shock. Ai leaned in and said, "It was A Ji who overheard Ji Li teasing Zhan earlier. That's how I found out. But seriously, how do you not know? We've been waiting for you to spill the news."
A Ji rested her chin on her hand and said, "Wait, don't tell me you didn't hear about this at home? Or could it be a rumor?"
Shu felt a cold sweat break out as a chill ran through her body. She tried to keep her composure, shaking her head firmly. "I was at my uncle's house in Yantai over the weekend," she said. "I just got back this morning..."
Standing abruptly, she grabbed her bag. "I think I should just go home."
Her distress was evident, and Ai and A Ji called after her in unison, "What about the lectures?" Ai added, "You know how strict attendance is for this class! There are only a few minutes left until it starts..."
Shu didn't respond and hurried out of the department. Zhan noticed her departure for the first time. Ji Li, lowering his voice, looked at Zhan and asked, "Do you think she knows about your engagement?"
Zhan shrugged. "I have no idea," he said as he stood up and handed Ji Li his bag. "I'll be right back."
Ji Li raised an eyebrow. "You only have seven minutes left before class starts," he warned. "You know the lecturer will be here any second."
Zhan replied, "I won't be long," and left in a hurry.
Within five minutes, the lecturer arrived. Ji Li quickly rushed to the classroom while the other students filed in. Everyone knew better than to be late for this particular lecturer-not because he was strict, but because of his commanding presence.
By the time Ji Li and Zhou Cheng entered and found seats, the lecturer was already standing at the rostrum. He waited for the students to settle down, his eyes scanning the room behind his glasses. Though it was hard to tell who he was looking at, the class fell completely silent within seconds.
After a minute, he greeted them collectively and began his lecture.
Meanwhile, five students rushed to the door, hesitating to enter due to the rules. They stood there, watching the lecturer with pleading eyes. He ignored them at first, continuing his lecture, but after a while, their presence became distracting.
Finally, he glanced at a student seated in the front row, about to instruct him to close the door, when he spotted Zhan.
Zhan quickly looked away, realizing the lecturer's gaze had landed on him. Dr. Kexing paused for a moment before addressing the students at the door. "Fine! You can come in, but no attendance for any of you."
The students thanked him profusely as they entered the room. Zhan was the last to walk in, keeping his gaze low as Dr. Kexing watched him through his glasses. He quietly made his way to where Ji Li had saved him a seat and sat down.
Dr. Kexing resumed his lecture. Ji Li leaned in, whispering, "I knew he'd let you in. There was no way he wouldn't."
Zhan said nothing, pulling out his notebook and pen to start taking notes. As always, the students who arrived late were allowed into the lecture but received no attendance points, just as Dr. Kexing had said.
At exactly 11:40, Dr. Kexing finished his lecture and left the hall.
One of Zhan's classmates, Bing, approached him and said, "Zhan, let's go and apologize to him. I don't have his attendance for this semester, and you know anyone without attendance can't take the test."
Zhan looked up at him, slightly widening his eyes, and replied, "And why me?" Soon, the rest of the students joined them, pleading with Zhan to lead the way to Dr. Kexing's office. Zhan set down the pen in his hand and said, "I don't have attendance either, so why should I be the one to go?"
The group chimed in unison, "Because you're the assistant class rep!" Zhan gave a small smile and replied, "I resigned from that post ages ago."
Ji Li, intervene, "That doesn't matter. Just go with them!" Seeing how persistent they were, with even the other students backing them up, Zhan reluctantly stood up and said, "Fine, let's go. If he throws us out, so be it."
A group of about twelve students followed Zhan upstairs to the office labeled Dr. Wen Kexing. Despite their efforts, Zhan refused to knock or enter first, stepping aside and saying, "I'm not getting thrown out. Someone else should knock. If he asks us to come in, we'll all go together."
Bing took the initiative and knocked. Once given permission, he opened the door and walked in. Dr. Kexing, looking mildly surprised, asked, "What's going on?"
Zhan stood hesitantly by the door, bracing himself for the possibility of being told to leave. The students all waited for Zhan to speak on their behalf. Eventually, Zhan cautiously raised his head and said, "Sir, we came to apologize and ask if you could grant us attendance. We're sorry for being late."
Dr. Kexing glanced at them and then shifted his laptop aside. He looked directly at Zhan and said, "So you're their spokesperson now?"
Zhan lowered his gaze while Bing and the others chimed in, "Sir, please forgive us. We promise it won't happen again."
Dr. Kexing handed the attendance sheet to Bing, who eagerly accepted it with thanks. Dr. Kexing added, "You can sign the attendance outside."
Before he could finish, Zhan had already turned and rushed out of the office. Bing signed the sheet and passed it to the others. When it reached Zhan, he signed quickly and handed it over to the next person. He then started descending the stairs to return to Ji Li and the others when his phone vibrated with a message.
"Stay behind," it read.
Zhan froze on the stairs, his frustration clear. Reluctantly, he moved to a quieter part of the corridor and waited as his classmates finished signing and left without noticing his absence. Slowly, Zhan walked back to Dr. Kexing's office.
He knocked gently. When there was no response, he knocked again. Finally, hearing his voice, he entered, closing the door behind him without meeting his gaze.
Dr. Kexing watched him silently as he approached his desk. Slowly, he bowed slightly and greeted, "Good morning, sir."
"Zhan," he said calmly.
Hearing his name made his heart race. He instinctively sat down on one of the chairs facing Dr. Kexing, still avoiding eye contact.
"Why were you late to my class?" Dr. Kexing asked.
Zhan shook his head and replied, "I went to stretch my legs."
Dr. Kexing didn't respond immediately. After a few moments, he said, "Look at me."
It took great effort, but Zhan finally raised his head to meet his gaze. The moment their eyes met, Zhan quickly lowered his head onto the table, overwhelmed with a sense of embarrassment he couldn't explain.
Dr. Kexing smiled slightly but said nothing. After almost forty seconds of silence, he said, "Alright. If you won't look up, you can leave."
As if waiting for permission, Zhan stood abruptly, almost stumbling as he rushed to the door. Dr. Kexing watched him go but stopped him just before he opened it.
"You'll need someone to review your defense slides," he said.
Zhan turned back hesitantly and pleaded, "Please don't be upset."
"Fine, come back," Dr. Kexing said.
He returned, head lowered, and sat down again.
"When's your next lecture today?" Dr. Kexing asked.
"At 2 PM," he replied.
"Alright. Did you bring your laptop?" Zhan shake his head, "No Sir"
Dr. Kexing shook his head and said, "Send me your slides via email now."
Zhan replied, "Alright," as he began searching his phone for the file to send. Dr. Kexing watched him intently before calmly asking, "Do you know how many days are left until our wedding?"
Zhan froze. His heart raced as he refused to meet Dr. Kexing's gaze, remaining silent. This was exactly the conversation he had been dreading. Dr. Kexing smiled and said, "Look, Zhan..."
Still refusing to look up, Zhan frowned, his expression hardening.
"Fine, then," Dr. Kexing said. "You can leave."
Zhan immediately looked at him, his wide eyes betraying his nervousness. "I was just sending you the slides, Sir," he stammered.
In a soft voice, Dr. Kexing said, "I love you."
Zhan's head dipped lower as his eyes squeezed shut. Suddenly, the subtle scent of Dr. Kexing's cologne filled the air, and Zhan opened his eyes sharply to find him standing very close. Panicked, Zhan tried to stand, but his movements were so frantic that he stumbled and fell to the ground.
Dr. Kexing stepped back in surprise. "What are you doing? Are you trying to hurt yourself?"
Zhan quickly got to his feet, looking as though he was on the verge of tears. "I've sent it, Sir," he said hurriedly.
Dr. Kexing bent down slightly, his gaze falling to Zhan's legs to ensure he wasn't hurt. Then, standing tall again, he said, "Alright, go on. But bring me three hard copies of your slides tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir," Zhan said quickly before hurrying to the door. Dr. Kexing watched him leave, exhaling deeply as he sat down in the chair Zhan had just vacated. He couldn't help but wonder if his feelings were becoming more intense each day.
At 1:15 PM, Zhan sat in class with Ji Li and Zhou Cheng, waiting for their next lecture. Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He checked it and saw a message: "I'm waiting for you in the parking lot."
He glanced at Ji Li and Zhou Cheng before standing up and saying, "I'll be back in a moment."
Without waiting for a response, Zhan made his way to the parking lot. He approached Dr. Kexing's sleek, luxurious car and walked around to the passenger side, hesitating until the door was unlocked from inside. He got in and closed the door behind him.
Instead of looking at Dr. Kexing, Zhan fiddled nervously with his fingers. From the backseat, Dr. Kexing handed him a takeout bag. Zhan glanced at it briefly before accepting it. "Thank you," he said softly.
Dr. Kexing replied, "Call me whenever you're done with your lectures. I'm heading home now."
Zhan nodded. "Alright. See you later."
He got out of the car, saying, "Thank you," before closing the door and walking back toward the department building. Dr. Kexing watched him until he disappeared inside.
🔸▪️▫️🔹
Meanwhile, Shu entered the living room of her grandmother Fang Yu's house, throwing her bag and shawl onto the couch with a flurry of agitation. Fang Yu, seated calmly on the sofa, watched Shu with concern.
"What's wrong with you now?" Fang Yu asked.
Shu dropped to her knees before her grandmother, tears streaming down her face. Fang Yu quickly moved the cup in front of her out of the way. "What's the matter, Shu? Did something happen to you at the university?"
Through her sobs, Shu cried out, "Is it true that Zhan is engaged?"
Fang Yu's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Zhan? And why do you care about Zhan? You don't even speak to him. Yes, the engagement was finalized three days ago. What, were we supposed to consult you first?"
Shu buried her face in her hands, her tears intensifying. "But, Grandmother, I told you I loved his boyfriend! And now you've let him get engaged to him. How could you do this to me?"
Fang Yu recoiled in shock. "Shu, are you even listening to yourself? Why should that matter? He's your cousin! And his boyfriend doesn't feel the same way about you. Besides, you have plenty of other suitors, some respectable, some less so. Why focus on Dr. Kexing?"
"I swear, Grandmother," Shu said, her voice trembling with emotion, "if I can't have him, then no one can."
Fang Yu moved away, startled. "You've lost your mind, Shu! You're openly wishing ill on your cousin! This is shameless!"
Shu stood abruptly, tears streaming down her face. "He's not my cousin. I don't care what you or anyone else says." She stormed off to her room, leaving Fang Yu to let out a heavy sigh.
"May the universe grant her clarity," Fang Yu murmured. "If not, she'll only bring misery to herself and everyone around her. I've never seen anything like this in my life..."
▫️▪️🔸🔹
Zhan was sitting in the living room scrolling through his phone around five-thirty in the evening when the door opened. Looking up, he saw Granny Fang Yu entering with her bag slung over her shoulder. Standing quickly, he approached her with a smile and took the bag.
"Granny Fang Yu, welcome," he said.
"Thank you, Zhan," she replied. "It's been a while since you visited my house. Is it all your studies keeping you busy?"
Zhan responded, "I was planning to visit this weekend, Granny."
"Well, I hope we make it to the weekend," she said with a chuckle. "Where's your mother?"
"She's in her room. Let me call her," Zhan said before heading upstairs. Granny Fang Yu settled into a chair, adjusting her clothing. Before long, Lan Yi, Zhan's mother, came downstairs, warmly greeting her.
"Mother, welcome. How are things at home? How's everyone?" Granny Fang Yu asked.
"All is well," Lan Yi replied. Zhan returned, carrying a glass of water, and placed it on the table for her.
Lan Yi glanced at her mother and asked cautiously, "You didn't come with Shu? Or hasn't she returned from Yantai yet?"
Granny Fang Yu lowered her voice, her expression serious. "Who else but Shu, the cause of so much trouble? That's exactly why I'm here today."
Lan Yi's heart sank. "What has she done now, Mother? You should have called me; I would've come to you instead of you traveling all the way here."
Granny Fang Yu sighed, pausing to glance at Zhan, who had returned with a small plate of snacks. "You didn't need to bring me food, Zhan. I'm not hungry," she said.
"Just a little, Granny," Zhan insisted with a smile, before leaving them alone.
Lan Yi, anxious, turned back to her mother. "What's happened, Mother? We've been trying our best with Shu, but things seem to be getting worse."
Granny Fang Yu sighed deeply and recounted her morning encounter with Shu, explaining the drama and tears at the house. Lan Yi listened, stunned, unable to formulate a response.
"I want you to come with me back to the house," Granny Fang Yu urged. "You need to see it for yourself. She's been crying so much the security guard had to check if something was wrong. I even tried to calm her by bringing her food to her room, but she refused to eat. I don't know what else to do. That's why I thought of coming here to talk to Yibo. Perhaps he can discipline her properly. Hai Kuan might be too harsh, and I don't want him to hurt her."
Lan Yi sat in silence, absorbing her mother's words. Granny Fang Yu shook her head in frustration. "You're quiet, Lan Yi. If not you, then who will I turn to for this matter?"
Finally, Lan Yi sighed and said softly, "If Dr. Kexing will agrees to marry Shu, perhaps we should arrange for Zhan to step aside and let them be. Zhan will be understanding, and maybe this will ease Shu's mind."
Granny Fang Yu frowned deeply. "I can't believe I'm hearing this from you, Lan Yi. Do you think I came all this way for you to suggest such nonsense? How can you propose that Zhan give up his happiness just to accommodate Shu's whims? I won't stand for it!"
Lan Yi quickly responded, "No, Mother, that's not what I meant! You misunderstood me..."
Granny Fang Yu interrupted, "Listen to me. I came here to resolve this before things spiral further. Shu needs to be brought back to her senses. If she has something troubling her, we'll find a solution, but she has no right to interfere in Zhan's engagement. He's done nothing to deserve this. Shu's behavior is unacceptable, and I won't tolerate it."
Lan Yi looked down, nodding reluctantly. "You're right, Mother. I'll talk to Yibo as soon as he gets home. Then you can both go together."
"That's better," Granny Fang Yu said firmly. "Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to send her back to her father's family in Yantai. I've endured enough. If only Rui Yue were still alive, Shu wouldn't dare behave this way. Even her father would have put her in her place. But death leaves its marks, and now we're left to deal with this mess. May they both rest in peace."
Lan Yi murmured softly, "Amen."
Lan Yi stood up and said, "Let's head upstairs, Mother." Granny Fang Yu shook her head firmly. "No, honestly, I don't want Qiren to come back and find me here. Let me stay here; as soon as Yibo arrives, we'll leave." No matter how much Lan Yi insisted, Granny Fang Yu refused to go upstairs.
Granny Fang Yu sat on the couch while Lan Yi and Zhan were in the kitchen, with Lan Yi preparing food for her. Yibo entered the house, greeting them as he walked in. Granny Fang Yu quickly stood up and said, "Oh, my dear, you're here! Let's go; take me home. I've been waiting for you all this time."
Yibo chuckled. "When did you even get here, Granny?"
"Not too long ago," she replied. "Let's just leave now-it's getting late, and I don't want Qiren to find me here." Without waiting for his response, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Lan Yi peeked into the living room and said, "Please, mother, stay and eat. The food is almost ready. Qiren won't be back until ten tonight."
Granny Fang Yu replied, "What would an old woman like me be doing wandering around at night? Other grandmothers are at home resting, Lan Yi. If you really want me to eat, pack it up for me in a takeaway container, and I'll eat at home."
Lan Yi knew there was no convincing her mother to stay, so she sighed and said, "Alright, let me pack it for you."
Zhan interjected, "Granny, I'll accompany you so Gege and I can come back together after dropping you off."
Before Lan Yi could stop him, Granny Fang Yu turned to Zhan and said, "That's a good idea. Let him come. It's just a quick trip." Lan Yi reluctantly nodded and asked Zhan to pack the food in the kitchen.
As Zhan prepared the takeaway, Lan Yi approached Granny Fang Yu and said, "You know, Zhan mentioned he plans to visit you this weekend."
Granny Fang Yu smiled knowingly and replied, "You're only saying this and not letting him go with us because of Shu, aren't you? But don't forget, Lan Yi, I'm older and wiser. I wouldn't bring anything up in front of Zhan, especially since he's promised to visit. Let's just go now; there's no harm."
Yibo, who had been quietly observing them, asked, "What did Shu do this time?"
Granny Fang Yu responded, "I'll explain everything to you when we get home."
▫️▪️🔸🔹
At around 8:15 PM, Yibo arrived at Granny Fang Yu's house. Zhan, sitting in the passenger seat, got out to open the door for her and carried the food inside. He placed the takeaway in the living room and sat down.
Granny Fang Yu led Yibo to her room, where she explained what had happened with Shu earlier that morning. Lowering her voice, she added, "She refused to come out, even when she hear us arrived. What if they were intruders? Her shoes are still by the door; she's been in her room all day. I don't know what's going on in her head, but it's deeply troubling me."
Yibo, stunned, remained silent as Granny Fang Yu continued. Finally, she said, "Well, aren't you going to say something?"
He sighed and replied, "Granny, perhaps Zhan shouldn't have come here with us tonight."
Granny Fang Yu waved him off. "Oh, please. Why do you and Lan Yi act so secretive? Everyone is equal in my eyes. Nothing should ruin our family bond. Why treat Shu and Zhan as if they're strangers?"
Yibo stood and left the room, heading straight to shu's door. He knocked and entered to find her lying on the bed. She turned to look at him briefly before rolling over to adjust her position, deliberately ignoring him.
"Do you think your behavior is acceptable?" he asked, his voice stern.
Shu refused to respond, keeping her face turned away.
Shaking his head, Yibo said, "We'll deal with this tomorrow." He turned and left the room.
After bidding Granny Fang Yu goodnight, he decided to leave immediately to avoid any further confrontation. He whispered, "See you tomorrow, Granny."
Granny Fang Yu replied warmly, "Take care, my dear."
Zhan, while saying goodbye, entered her room to pay his respects. Granny Fang Yu smiled and said, "Zhan, I'll be waiting for your visit on Saturday."
He replied, "Of course. Oh, by the way, I stopped by Shu's room earlier; she seemed to be asleep. When she wakes up, let her know I was asking about her."
Granny Fang Yu nodded. "I will. Goodnight."
As they drove home, Zhan glanced at Yibo and asked, "Gege, is something wrong?"
Without taking his eyes off the road, Yibo replied, "Why do you ask?"
"I just feel like something's off-did Shu do something wrong?"
"Why don't you go ask her yourself?" Yibo said, smiling slightly.
Zhan rolled his eyes. "Seriously?"
Yibo changed the subject. "Anyway, it's crazy how time flies. In less than five weeks, you'll be moving out."
Zhan pouted. "I hate when you bring that up, Gege."
Yibo laughed softly. "So, who's standing by you on the big day? Any close friends?"
Zhan smiled shyly, choosing not to respond.
Yibo pressed on. "What about Shu?"
Zhan chuckled. "She's a big sister to me."
Yibo nodded thoughtfully and asked, "By the way, does Dr. Kexing know Shu?"
Zhan tilted his head. "Well, we're in the same department, so of course, he knows her. Besides, he's our level coordinator."
Yibo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so they get along because of you?"
Zhan shook his head. "Not really. You know how he doesn't talk much to people, especially the ladies in our department. He only comes in twice a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays."
Yibo didn't press further. After a while, Zhan asked, "Gege, isn't this the way to Min's Jie house?"
"Yeah," Yibo replied.
"Can we stop by? I'd like to meet her since she's back. I've only spoken to her on the phone."
Yibo smiled. "You'll meet her on Friday when I bring her home to greet Mama. You'll finally meet her in person then."
Zhan turned to his brother and said, "Gege, don't you think she'll be happy to see me now?"
Yibo looked at him and replied, "I haven't even freshened up yet; I just came from work."
Zhan leaned closer, taking in his scent, and closed his eyes. "Hmm... You smell amazing, like you just had a shower, Gege. You're always so fresh."
He chuckled at his sibling's antics. Zhan tilted his head and pleaded, "Please, Gege, just let me go with you."
With a sigh, he said, "Alright, let me call her first."
He took out his phone and dialed his fiancée, Min. The moment the call connected, he greeted, "How far away are you?"
"Just a few miles," she replied.
He smiled lightly. "Alright, I'm on my way. Do you need me to bring anything for you?"
Surprised, she said, "Really? But you said you'd come tomorrow."
"I know, but I want to see you today," Yibo responded.
She laughed softly. "No need to bring anything, dear. Don't forget you promised we'd go shopping tomorrow."
"Of course. You'll see me at your place in a few minutes."
"Alright, drive safely, my love," she said warmly before the call ended.
Zhan turned to his brother and said, "I like her voice."
Yibo smiled. "Yours is even better."
That made Zhan beam with happiness.
Within fifteen minutes, they arrived at Min's house. The gatekeeper opened the large gates, and Yibo drove into the spacious compound. Once he parked, he called Min again.
"I'm in the parking lot," he informed her.
Surprised, she replied, "Oh, are you not coming inside, baby? I even set out some fruits for you in the living room."
"I won't be staying long. I just wanted to see you and then leave," Yibo explained.
Her voice softened. "Alright, I'm coming out."
Moments later, Min appeared. Zhan watched her closely as she approached. He had only seen her in pictures before, never in person. Dressed in elegant casual wear that accentuated her beauty, even Yibo couldn't help but notice her as she walked toward the car.
When she reached them, she opened the front seat door, pausing as her eyes landed on Zhan. He smiled politely and stepped out of the car, saying, "It's me. I just wanted to greet you, Shi Jie."
Min's gaze shifted from head to toe as she sized him up. Yibo quickly introduced him. "This is my little brother, Zhan. You've spoken to him on the phone before and seen him in pictures, haven't you?"
Adjusting her scarf, Min rolled her eyes slightly and said, "Oh, I see. I remember now."
Zhan lowered his head slightly and greeted, "Good evening, Shi Jie."
Standing near the car, chewing gum nonchalantly, Min replied curtly, "Evening."
Yibo got out of the car and walked over to them. "We just came from Grandma's house, and Zhan insisted on coming to greet you," he explained.
Min gave a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I appreciate the gesture."
Zhan stood silently, unsure of what else to say.
Yibo turned to Min. "Alright, I'll come by tomorrow as planned."
Min nodded. "Sure, see you then. I sent you a message on WhatsApp earlier."
"I'll check it," Yibo replied before turning to Zhan. "Let's go."
Zhan looked at Min once more and said, "Goodnight, Shi Jie."
Min responded, "Goodnight," and turned to head back inside without any further pleasantries.
As Yibo drove away, he glanced at Zhan, who had grown unusually quiet. "Do you need anything?" he asked.
Zhan shook his head without looking at him.
Yibo stopped at a fruit vendor, bought some fruits for their mother, and drove them home. Once they parked in their compound, Zhan stepped out, carrying the bag of fruits inside.
Yibo, still upset, sat in the car and called Min.
"Min, why did you act like that toward my brother? Did you think he was someone else? Listen to me: he is my brother, and I cherish him more than you can imagine. I don't tolerate anyone treating him poorly. Why did you behave that way?"
Min, caught off guard, replied, "Oh, I thought he was your cousin. I didn't realize he's your younger brother until after you left. Isn't he the youngest in your family?"
Frustrated, Yibo snapped, "And Shu, who you're so close to-what is she to me?"
"Come on, Yibo. Shu is my friend. We were roommates and close back in school. I knew her before I even met you. Besides, if not for her poorly in studies, she'd have finished her Master's like I did," Min retorted.
Raising his voice, Yibo interrupted her. "That doesn't excuse how you treated my brother. It was completely unacceptable."
Min sighed, "So, what do you want me to do, Yibo? Should I have screamed with excitement when I saw him or jumped for joy? How exactly did you expect me to react?"
Yibo ended the call abruptly, leaning back in his seat and taking deep breaths to calm himself. He seriously contemplated whether marrying Min was the right decision. The thought of anyone disrespecting Zhan was enough to make him reconsider everything, even with only two months left until their wedding.
Zhan was sitting on the edge of his bed, studying a handout, when the door to his room opened. Looking up, he saw Yibo enter after knocking lightly. Yibo stood by the doorway and greeted him.
Zhan glanced at the clock and said, "Gege, you're up late tonight. You usually go to bed earlier."
Yibo replied, "Yeah, I just wanted to check in on you. I hope you're not upset about Min's behavior earlier?"
Zhan widened his eyes briefly, then smiled. "Oh, that? No, Gege. She didn't do anything to me. I think she just wasn't expecting me. It's fine."
"What time are your lectures tomorrow?" Yibo asked.
"8 a.m.," Zhan replied.
"Alright. Goodnight," Yibo said before leaving the room.
"Goodnight, Gege," Zhan called after him, returning to his studies.
The next morning, Zhan was ready for his classes but noticed it was unusual not to see Lan Yi around. Only the housemaid was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Concerned, Zhan decided to check Lan Yi's room. He knocked and greeted her from the doorway. Hearing her respond, he opened the door and walked in to find her lying in bed.
He rushed to her side and sat down. "Mama, are you feeling unwell?" he asked worriedly.
Lan Yi sat up and said, "I had a bit of a fever during the night, but I'm feeling better now."
Zhan placed a hand on her forehead, frowning. "Did you take any medicine?"
"Yes, your father told Yibo last night, and he gave me some medication. I feel much better now," Lan Yi assured him.
Still concerned, Zhan studied her face. "You look stressed, Mama," he said softly.
Lan Yi adjusted the duvet and glanced at the clock, which showed 7:30 a.m. "You should leave now so you're not late, Zhan."
"I'm not going to class today, Mama," Zhan declared firmly. "I'll stay and take care of you. Where's the medicine Gege gave you? Let me see."
"I said I'm fine," Lan Yi replied. "Don't be stubborn. Go to class."
Zhan pouted, trying to convince her. "Mama, I can't leave you like this. Please let me stay. Just tell me how you're feeling."
"If your father finds out you didn't go to class, he'll scold you," Lan Yi warned.
"I'll tell him I don't have lectures today," Zhan countered. "Please, just let me help you."
Lan Yi sighed. "Fine, bring me some soup, and then I'll rest."
Without waiting for more, Zhan hurried out to fetch the soup. Lan Yi watched him leave, tears welling up in her eyes. She wiped them quickly, trying to compose herself before Zhan returned.
Moments later, Zhan was back with a bowl of soup. He made sure Lan Yi drank some before checking the medications by her mirror. Picking one up, he frowned. "You shouldn't take this one."
Just then, Yibo walked into the room. "Which one shouldn't she take?" he asked.
Zhan turned to him and replied, "The analgesic."
"Oh, I see. Our in-house nurse knows better than the doctor now," Yibo teased.
Zhan smiled. "I'm not claiming to know more than you, Gege."
Yibo knelt beside Lan Yi and asked gently, "How are you feeling, Mama?"
Lan Yi gave him a small smile. "I'm feeling better, thank you."
"Good. Take care," Yibo said warmly before standing. Turning to Zhan, he added, "Didn't you say you had an 8 a.m. lecture?"
"Good morning, Gege," Zhan said, trying to change the subject.
"Morning," Yibo replied, watching as Zhan handed Lan Yi the glass of water to take her medicine. Once she was done, Yibo left the room.
Lan Yi looked at Zhan and said softly, "Go with Yibo. He can drop you off at school."
Zhan shook his head and picked up the soup bowl. "No, Mama. I'll stay with you and make sure you're okay. I can't leave you when you're not well."
With that, he left for the kitchen to clean the bowl. In the kitchen, Hai Kuan, who was making coffee, looked up as Zhan entered.
"Good morning, Gege," Zhan greeted politely.
"Morning," Hai Kuan replied shortly.
Zhan quickly washed the bowl and returned to Lan Yi's side, determined to care for her.
▫️▪️🔸🔹
Min walked into her bedroom, carrying a tray of lemonade and cupcakes. She set it down and looked at Shu, who was sitting with her head in her hands, deep in thought. Min said, "You only show up when something's bothering you, huh? How many weeks has it been since I returned to Beijing, and not once have you come to see me?"
Shu looked up at her with a heavy sigh and replied, "I'm in a lot of distress, Min, and there's no one else I can talk to about this but you."
Min sat down beside her and said, "What's troubling you, my friend? Tell me everything."
Shu hesitated for a moment before saying, "You remember that lecturer I've been telling you about?"
Min rolled her eyes. "Which one? You're always talking about so many guys. Which one is it this time?"
Shu sighed. "Our level coordinator-the one I've been mentioning in our chats recently."
"Oh, the one you said you were reading an entire textbook for in the library because of his course?" Min asked.
"Yes, him," Shu admitted, her voice laced with frustration.
Min raised her hand to stop her. "Before you continue, let me tell you what's been going on with me. Just yesterday, Yibo showed up here with that cousin of yours. Honestly, even before I met him in person, I had a bad feeling about him. When Yibo would mention him or have him greet me over the phone, I'd barely respond. I just can't stand him. And you know what? Yibo is so fond of him-always using him as an example for everything."
Shu raised a brow. "So, what happened when you met him?"
Min sighed dramatically. "It caused a fight between me and Yibo. Can you believe that? Ever since yesterday, Yibo hasn't called me once, just because I didn't leap with joy and hug his precious brother. That's something he's never done before, no matter how bad our arguments got. It's ridiculous! He's upset with me over that annoying guy."
Shu shook her head. "Min, forget all that for now and listen to my problem because it's far worse than yours. That lecturer I've been talking about, that he sent his parents to formalize his marriage...well he was engaged with Zhan a few days ago. And there I was in Yantai, completely unaware of what was happening."
Her voice broke as she continued, "Min, I think about this man every single day, every night. Because of him, I've been working so hard in my nursing program, pushing myself to cope and excel. And now, he's planning to marry my cousin instead of me. The worst part? He noticed me first in the department, not Zhan. Whenever he'd ask the class a question, he'd ask me three more times. I'm heartbroken. It feels like my chest is about to explode. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning."
With that, Shu broke into uncontrollable sobs.
Min, visibly stunned, cupped her chin in disbelief. "This is unbelievable. But how could you let things get to this point? How did they end up dating when you're the one who loves him? Why didn't you stop him? Didn't you say Zhan is intimidated by you?"
Shu said, "Both Zhan and Dr. Kexing are nothing but hypocrites. I've never seen two people so deceitful in my life. They don't even look at each other in the department, and Zhan doesn't even glance in his direction. In fact, Dr. Kexing has scolded Zhan several times for being late to class, and he's never asked him a single question in class. You know how lecturers usually favor certain students by engaging with them more? Well, I'm one of the students he always asks questions to. You'd never suspect anything was going on between them unless you had an uncanny ability to notice the smallest details-like A Ji did. She was the one who first pointed it out to me.
"Zhan even pretended to have an asthma attack in class one day, claiming the dust nearby triggered it. Mind you, it was during Dr. Kexing's lecture. You should've seen the care and attention he gave him that day! We didn't even finish the lecture because Dr. Kexing took him to his office, checked on him, and even gave him medicine. This is the same man who doesn't even crack a smile at anyone. Some students even said he personally escorted Zhan home that day. But after that incident, I never saw him so much as glance in Zhan's direction in the department again, let alone speak to him. I've never even heard him call Zhan's name.
"And here I am, throwing myself into my studies just to impress him. I've been buying every single textbook for his courses and studying ahead, hoping to stand out. Whenever he asks questions in class, I'm always among the first to answer. Before meeting him, I didn't even know I had this kind of focus and determination. It was because of my efforts that he even started noticing me back in our second year, first semester."
Min, holding back her laughter, asked, "Noticed you? How?"
Shu replied, "Like when he'd ask a question, he'd always look at me to see if I'd answer. And one day, after I answered his question in class, he asked for my name in front of everyone."
Shu's voice broke, and tears welled up in her eyes. Min sighed and said, "And you didn't think to use that to your advantage?"
Shu could only sob quietly. Min pressed on, "So, how did your cousin Zhan end up dating him without you knowing?"
Wiping her tears, Shu said, "That's what I've been trying to figure out. Zhan is like a statue in class-silent and emotionless. Even his friends are an odd bunch. They're from modest backgrounds, barely managing to pay tuition each semester. They sit at the back of the class, silent as owls. Meanwhile, I've always sat in the front row during Dr. Kexing's lectures. Even if I didn't answer his questions, he would've noticed me because of where I sat. And let's not forget, I'm the only woman in the class who regularly answers his questions."
Min asked, "So after he asked for your name, nothing else happened between you two?"
Shu sniffed and replied, "Who told you that? Every time we crossed paths on campus, I'd greet him, and he'd always reply with, 'How are you, Shu?' He doesn't call any other woman in the department by name except me. You could say he gave me that name, and some of the other women started resenting me because of the way he responded to me."
Min smirked. "I'd love to know how he and your cousin Zhan started dating."
Shu wiped her tears again and said, "Maybe if I'd agreed to stay at their house like my aunt kept urging me to, I would've figured it out. But I couldn't stand Yibo and Hai Kuan's antics. Especially Hai Kuan. That's why I refused to stay there. Lee is indifferent, but Hai Kuan-ugh, he's insufferable."
Min said, "Let's head to Zully's house. She might have some advice. Honestly, I don't know what to say about this situation, especially since they're already engaged."
Shu stood up and said, "Let's go, please."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛