Dr. Kexing stood up and rushed out through the gate of the house, turning to the security guard.
"Where did he say he came from? And what did he say when he gave this to you?"
The security man stepped forward respectfully and replied, "He didn't say where he was from, sir. He just handed it to me and said I should give it to Madam."
Dr. Kexing didn't wait for further explanation. He headed straight to his car, got in, and drove off. The guard returned to his seat.
Inside the house, Aunt Jin and her group had already removed four suitcases, insisting there was no point in taking all fourteen. Ten would be enough. Wu, already deeply upset, stayed upstairs, worried that if she came down, she might lose her composure and cause a scene. Mama Hari asked, "So what do we do with the rest of the items? Are we just leaving them here?"
Aunt Jin responded, "Leave them for what, Mama? He's got plenty of male relatives. We'll distribute what's left among the family. Everyone will get what they deserve."
Wu's friends didn't say a word. They just watched silently as the family finished their selections. The drivers were then called in to start loading the suitcases into the cars. Wu turned to Aunt Fu, who had earlier refused to join in delivering the gifts. "Please just go, Fu. You're not doing this for them. If it were up to them, nothing would have been sent."
Aunt Fu replied, "Honestly, these days, it's mostly men who deliver wedding gifts."
Wu sighed. "Well, they insisted on doing it themselves. Just bear with it and go. Everyone is doing their part for themselves. They'll get what they give."
Aunt Fu didn't argue. She grabbed her handbag and left with the rest of the group. Thirteen of them in four vehicles left to deliver the items... nearly nine of whom were from Dr. Kexing's father's side. Aunt Jin and her cousin Nanxin were pouting in the car as they realized where they were heading.
Nanxin said with a sneer, "Out of the whole city, Kexing chose the outskirts of Beijing for a husband? All that pride he carries is nonsense. I completely lost respect for him."
Aunt Jin, chewing gum, said, "Well, his mother's always supported his nonsense. Let's see how this rural boy handles things."
Ruma, seated in the front, added, "I can assure you this marriage won't last. It's not even his class. He pretends to have taste, but clearly, he doesn't. These days, people marry within their class...wealth marries wealth. Who even does rich-poor marriages anymore?"
Nanxin asked, "Where did he even meet this boy anyway? I'd love to see him myself."
Aunt Jin shook her head. "That's what I've been wondering too. What brought him here in the first place?"
Ruma said, "She probably pressured him into it. Let's just wait and see how it plays out."
Aunt Fu's car and the two carrying Wu's friends led the convoy to Zhan's house, since she had collected the engagement items from there. After about 40 minutes, they arrived in the neighborhood.
Aunt Jin remarked, "Unbelievable... This is the neighborhood, Nanxin. I never thought anything would bring me here, not even in my dreams."
The car went silent. They looked around in discomfort. Their vehicle stopped, just like the rest. Aunt Jin looked at a beautiful house nearby and muttered, "Of all the places in Beijing, someone chose to build his mansion here...is he course?"
Nanxin, also staring, added, "I'm shocked. This is not smart at all. Look at the street beggars crowding his gate. So where exactly is the house we're delivering to?"
They all got out of the car, seeing the others had too. Mama Hari, holding her nose, said, "Where's the driver who claimed he knew the house? We've been left standing like fools in this heat."
The driver quickly came forward and pointed. "This is the house, Ma'am."
Before he could finish, the gates opened to reveal a wide, impressive compound. Aunt Jin glanced at Nanxin and Ruma, all of them wide-eyed. The security guard at the house said, "All the vehicles should come in. Welcome."
The drivers got back into their cars and began pulling into the compound. Aunt Jin stepped aside, adjusting her shawl while pouting. Aunt Fu and Wu's friends subtly watched the expressions on Dr. Kexing's family members' faces.
Once the cars entered the compound, Lan Yi's sister, close relatives, friends, and neighbors welcomed them warmly. The house was packed as though it were a celebration.
Dr. Kexing's relatives were greeted with genuine hospitality. Aunt Jin sat silently, chewing gum while watching the expensive items piled in the middle of the sitting room. It was obvious money had been well spent. Zhan's family inspected the gifts, admiring the quality.
One of Wu's friends pulled out two gold wristwatches from her bag. Aunt Jin and her companions were stunned...these hadn't been shown to them earlier. The friend gently placed the watches beside the other valuable jewelry in one of the boxes. The neighbors murmured their admiration, impressed and delighted.
Then Aunt Fu brought out 500,000 yuan from her handbag and placed it on the box. "This is for tailoring costs. Even though the ceremonial clothes are already sewn and packed, please let us know if anything is missing."
Aunt Jin gave her a sharp look. Mama Hari cut in, "We put everything into these gifts. Anything missing is just personal preference."
Ruma added, "Definitely. I think we should get going now. We came all the way from quit place."
Aunt Jin stood up, agreeing. "Yes, let's not get caught on the road at night. Honestly, I feel like we left Beijing entirely with this journey."
No one said anything further. Then one of Lan Yi's neighbors said, "Well, to be fair, if you're not used to traveling, it might seem far. But even by air, we travel for an hours. And we live here in peace...no crime, no stress."
Aunt Jin shot her a glance, but the woman didn't notice, busy admiring a luxurious fabric in the suitcase.
Snacks and small chops, pepper chicken, and rows of food coolers were arranged like it was a banquet. Soft drinks and water were packed in sets of 150 cottons. Everything exuded elegance. Two additional sets of elegantly wrapped boxes were also presented...making a total of 14 boxes....this time from Zhan's family to Dr. Kexing. They also gave them a gift of 1 million yuan in appreciation for the items they brought.
Aunt Jin and her group had not expected that at all. Their expressions said it all...it didn't sit well with them. They had assumed Zhan's family wouldn't be able to contribute anything.
They left the sitting room looking like they'd been deflated. The drivers helped carry the food and the two sets of boxes back into the cars. They were escorted respectfully to the gate, where they got into their vehicles and left the neighborhood.
Ruma glanced at Aunty Jin beside her and said, "So he's not from a poor background after all."
Aunty Jin didn't respond. Mama Hari added, "No matter how you spin it, his father must be some villager who made it big by chance. Otherwise, there's no way he would build a mansion like this in this area... it's like someone dared him to do it."
Ruma nodded. "Exactly. He must be one of those village men who struck it rich overnight. And as for his mother, whoever she is in that sitting room... it doesn't matter."
✨✨✨
Wu and her sisters watched Dr. Kexing heading for the stairs, not even acknowledging them in the sitting room. Wu called, "Kexing."
He paused, turned around, and came back to greet them politely. Wu guessed he must've seen the reduced wedding gifts, judging by his expression. She even warned her sisters not to bring it up, hoping to keep the peace.
She asked, "Where have you been?"
He rubbed his head slightly. "With my friends," he said.
"Are you okay?"
He shrugged. "Sure."
"I didn't see you eat."
"I did."
With that, he turned and headed upstairs, all eyes following him. Wu could tell something was weighing heavily on him... something he wasn't going to share.
Aunty Baby asked, "Do you think the groom's family told him that something was missing from the gifts? You said they helped prepare the items at their place, right?"
Aunty Fu replied, "It's very likely they told him."
Wu stayed silent. If Kexing really had been told, he would've mentioned it to her.
Upstairs in his room, Dr. Kexing sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands. His thoughts were clouded... he hadn't felt this overwhelmed in a long time. He couldn't think straight. So many things were running through his mind, and none of them made sense. He was deeply confused. If it were something else troubling him, maybe he could've shared it with his Mom...but this? What would he even say? How would she react?
He got up and walked to the window, staring out blankly, not blinking, just lost in thought. He stood like that for over ten minutes. Then, as if remembering something urgent, he turned and quickly left the room, heading downstairs.
Wu and the others were still in the sitting room when he walked past them without a glance. He stepped into the compound and walked toward the security guard.
The man stood up immediately when he saw him.
"If anyone gives you a message again....whether it's for my mom or anyone else in this house....just give it straight to me," Dr. Kexing said calmly. "Did you hear me?"
The guard nodded respectfully. "Yes, sir. Understood."
Dr. Kexing turned and slowly walked back inside. As he entered his bedroom, his phone buzzed. He picked it up and saw a missed call from Zhan. He stared at the screen for a moment, then sat on the edge of the bed and called back. The call was answered on the first ring.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Hi," Zhan replied. "How are you?"
"I'm... okay."
"Were you out today?"
Dr. Kexing answered gently, "No."
There was a pause before Zhan asked, "Are you really okay?"
Dr. Kexing closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. "Not really."
Concern filled Zhan's voice. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just... stressed. I don't feel well. I think I might be getting sick."
"You didn't take anything for it?"
With a low voice, Dr. Kexing said, "Give me a prescription..."
"I'll text you something right away," Zhan replied.
A few minutes after they ended the call, a message popped up on Dr. Kexing's screen:
"No drugs. Just relax. Get plenty of rest... I mean, sleep like a baby. And dream of me."
He read it three times, wondering if Zhan really wrote it himself or someone else had. Then, he smiled and replied:
"Not when you're not by my side."
After sending it, he set the phone aside and headed to the bathroom, feeling a little more at ease.
When he came out, he dried off and changed into his pajamas, then lay on the bed and picked up his phone again. Zhan had replied:
"Let the countdown begin from today..."
He called again, let it ring through...no answer. He tried once more, still no response. He already knew: Zhan wouldn't pick up. Not tonight, not after texting him romantic words.
Saturday Morning
Lan Yi was in the room connected to the sitting room with her sister, Aunty Marquis. Neighbors were stopping by to view the wedding items, which were filling the sitting room to the brim. Distant and close relatives of Lan Yi, the wives of Mr. Wang's brothers, and her best friend Jianmen were also present, all keeping a close eye on the items... these days, trust was rare.
Since the previous day, Lan Yi hadn't had any meaningful conversation with her sister Marquis, who lived in Wuhan and had never had children. Marquis had arrived around noon yesterday and would be staying until after the wedding. Fang Yu had given birth to four children: Lan Yi, the late Ruiyin (mother of Shu), their younger brother who passed away eight years ago before he could marry, and finally, Marquis...the youngest of them all.
Aunty Marquis sighed and said, "I just hope Zhan will be safe. Honestly, I don't see any kindness from that groom's family. There's no blessing in all of this."
Lan Yi replied, "That's what's troubling me. Look at Zhan...so quiet, he won't speak up for himself. I'm afraid they'll take advantage of him."
Aunty Marquis said reassuringly, "Don't worry. Everything will work out. We'll keep supporting him."
Lan Yi continued, "Even the wedding gifts...they weren't complete. Jianmen knows. They were the ones who helped put the items together, and they left out a lot."
Marquis's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
Lan Yi nodded. "Zhan even showed me the pictures of 14 boxes Dr. Kexing sent him over WhatsApp, and what I saw wasn't everything. I just hope he'll find peace in that house."
Aunty Marquis added, "It's strange… I didn't see any of his mother's relatives, did you?"
Lan Yi shook her head. "I really don't know."
"Don't worry, sister. I truly believe Zhan will find happiness. No one will harm him. His partner loves him and he's smart...he won't let anyone mistreat his husband while he stands by."
Lan Yi nodded. "Let's hope so."
"Did you inform Aunt Ai about the wedding?"
"Yes, I told her as soon as the date was set. At first, she said she wouldn't be able to attend, but then she called back saying she didn't realize Yibo was also involved, so now she's coming."
Marquis frowned. "Let's just hope she doesn't cause trouble or disrupt the event."
"That's my fear too. Honestly, I was relieved when she said she wouldn't come. I really don't want any tension with that woman. I'd rather she had stayed home."
Marquis suggested, "Then let's talk to Mother and see if we can arrange for her to host at her house instead. It would really be better if she didn't stay here."
"Fine, tell her that," Lan Yi agreed.
Marquis nodded. "Alright. Yibo will be the one picking her up later to show her the gifts, so I'll talk to her when she arrives. By the way, where's Shu... didn't you mention a few weeks ago she was staying here?"
Lan Yi sighed. "Yes, but she refused to settle in, Marquis."
Around 11 a.m.
Zhan was still in his room. He hadn't even stepped into the hallway because of the number of people around. It was unlike Dr. Kexing not to call him... he was used to receiving his calls before 9 a.m. on weekends. By 11:10, Zhan finally decided to call him.
He grabbed his charging phone and dialed Dr. Kexing's number. It rang out with no answer. Zhan resumed studying; they had two tests on Monday. While he was seated, Aunty Marquis entered the room. Zhan stood up, folded the small carpet he had been sitting on, and greeted her.
Aunty Marquis said, "Come downstairs and get something to eat, Mister."
Zhan responded hesitantly, "There are still a lot of people in the house."
"There's no one here. It's just us now. Come and serve yourself," she insisted gently.
"Okay," he replied softly.
"Or I'll just ask Sabira to bring it to you."
Zhan smiled. "That would be perfect. Thank you, Aunty."
Aunty Marquis left the room. Zhan sat back down on the sofa, glancing at the clock... it was already a few minutes past 1 p.m., and still no callback from Dr. Kexing. Had he traveled today? He couldn't help feeling anxious. He remembered Dr. Kexing saying he hadn't been feeling well the day before.
Unable to resist, he called again... still no answer. Was he still sick? Zhan set his phone aside, a wave of worry washing over him.
Not long after, Sabira brought in the food and quietly placed it in front of him. But Zhan couldn't eat. He took only two spoonfuls before pushing the plate aside and lying down on the bed, his thoughts restless.
Zhan was still lying down when, about thirty minutes later, his phone vibrated. He picked it up, assuming it was Dr. Kexing, but it turned out to be Ji Li.
After the initial greetings, Ji Li said, "Groom-to-be, Aji and I are coming over now to see the wedding items."
Zhan replied gently, "Ji Li, can't you wait until tomorrow?"
Ji Li asked, "Are you going out?"
Zhan said, "There are too many people in the house right now. I won't be comfortable if you come today. Please wait until things calm down tomorrow."
Ji Li replied, "Alright. I already picked up my matching outfit from the tailor. It turned out really well, by the way. Aji got hers too... only one person's order isn't ready yet."
Zhan said, "Okay then. Honestly, I haven't even seen the wedding items myself."
Ji Li laughed, "Then we'll all see them together when we visit."
Zhan sighed, "I'll just be seeing the stuff with you guys. There's nothing exciting about it."
Ji Li chuckled again, "We're definitely coming." Then they ended the call.
Zhan put his phone down and lay back down. He eventually dozed off and woke around 3:30 p.m. Dr. Kexing still hadn't called, and Zhan began to grow genuinely worried. He went to shower, got dressed, and decided to call him again. Just as the call was about to end, Dr. Kexing finally picked up.
Zhan immediately frowned, as if Dr. Kexing could see him. "Why haven't you answered any of my calls since morning?"
Dr. Kexing replied, "Didn't I tell you yesterday I wasn't feeling well?"
Zhan asked with concern, "Still? Did you go to the hospital?"
"No," he answered.
"Did you take any medicine?"
"No."
Zhan went silent for a moment, then asked, "You're sick and didn't take any medicine or went to the hospital?"
Softly, Dr. Kexing said, "There's no medicine and no one to take me hospital."
Zhan asked, "What about your Mom?"
"She's at home."
Zhan blinked. "Where are you then?"
"I'm not at home."
Zhan fell quiet, then asked, "Why are you answering like that?"
"How am I answering, Zhan?"
"Where exactly are you right now?" Zhan asked
"I needed rest, so I'm not at home."
"I know that... where are you exactly?"
"The place I'm staying at is still a house…"
"Okay. Then tell me how you're feeling now."
Dr. Kexing went silent again.
"Hello?" Zhan prompted.
"I can hear you," Dr. Kexing replied.
"Then why aren't you saying anything?"
"You want me to tell you how I'm feeling, Zhan?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I'm not feeling great, Zhan."
With growing worry, Zhan said, "Please tell me exactly how you feel. And if you won't, at least send someone a prescription to buy you medicine."
"Who would I send?"
"You're home alone?"
"Yeah."
"Why are you alone when you're not well?"
Dr. Kexing answered slowly, "You told me I should get enough rest, dear. That's why I came here."
Zhan responded, "I didn't say you should go somewhere completely alone."
"I didn't know that dear."
"Have you eaten anything today?"
"Who would give me food?, my finance isn't with me"
Zhan widened his eyes. "Since morning?"
Silence.
"Can I come and get you something to eat now?" Zhan offered.
After a few seconds, Dr. Kexing replied, "Okay. With the medicine."
Zhan said, "I will."
Then the call ended.
Zhan got up, grabbed his clothes, and quickly got dressed. He put on his face mask, checked that his ATM card was in his bag, slipped his phone inside, and headed out. He paused by the door, trying to figure out what excuse he would give his mother. If he tried to lie, she would catch him...he wasn't even good at lying.
Nervously, he walked toward Lan Yi's room. His heart was pounding. He knocked, and once someone answered, he stepped inside. Only Lan Yi and Marquis were there. They looked up at him in surprise.
Lan Yi asked, "Where are you going?"
Zhan pushed through his nervousness and walked over to them. Kneeling down, he said, "Mama, I want to go get something. I'll be right back."
"What are you going to get?" she asked.
"It's a study material i need," he mumbled.
Lan Yi frowned. "You're lying, Zhan. Tell me where you're really going."
Zhan looked down, mind racing for an excuse. Marquis asked, "Are you going to see your friends?"
Just then, an idea came to Zhan. He bowed his head and said, "Mama, I'm sorry. I'm going to see Ji Li."
Lan Yi responded sharply, "So you had to lie first? You didn't even say anything about going there since morning. It's already past four, and the sky's turning dark—there's a storm coming. You know their neighborhood is far. Just wait until tomorrow."
Zhan looked up at her with pleading eyes. "I promised I won't stay long, Mama. And I'm not a weak non-binary male...I can protect myself."
Marquis added, "I hear you. But if you can protect yourself, how come you couldn't in the past? You've had three assault attempts, remember? The last one landed you in the hospital. That's why you're not allowed to go out alone. We're all just trying to protect you. Even if the perpetrators are behind bars, the world's still full of bad people."
She turned to Lan Yi. "Sis, just let him go since he says he won't take long. Maybe it's something important. Just make sure he's back before 5 p.m."
Lan Yi grumbled, "Back before five? Hopefully he even reaches their house by then...it's really far. Honestly, Ji Li should've come to him, not the other way around."
Marquis said gently, "Come on, Jie. Let him go. Zhan isn't the kind to go out unnecessarily unless he's suddenly changed. He promised to return quickly, so let's just trust him."
Lan Yi finally went quiet. After a pause, she said, "But why can't you just wait until tomorrow, Zhan?"
Zhan replied, "I want to go today because I need a reading material from him. We have two tests on Monday and I haven't studied at all."
"Alright," she said finally. "Be careful. Don't stay out too long....it's already getting late and the weather looks bad. Once you're done, call Yibo to come pick you up. Don't even think about taking a taxi."
Zhan smiled faintly, "Okay, Mama. Thank you."
"Do you have some cash?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Alright. Come back soon."
Zhan got up, say goodbye to Marquis, and headed out the door. They both watched him go.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛