Early Monday morning, Mrs. Wang walked into the kitchen where Diwa was busy preparing breakfast for the children. Diwa greeted her respectfully, and Mrs. Wang responded warmly before asking,
"Has Zhan woken up?"
Diwa replied,
"I think he's in the bathroom."
She only said that, but she knew very well Zhan was still asleep.
Mrs. Wang then said,
"I want him to start schooling today."
Diwa's eyes widened in surprise.
"School, Ma'am? May God bless you, elevate you, and reward you for your kindness. Truly, may all your good wishes be granted."
Mrs. Wang smiled slightly.
"Amen."
Then she turned and left.
As soon as she was gone, Diwa muttered under her breath,
"I wonder how that Divorcée will take this when she returns… So there's a small war brewing in this house."
On the staircase, Mrs. Wang met Yibo, who was already dressed to leave for work.
"Leaving this early?" she asked.
He greeted her politely.
"How was your night?"
"Fine. What about breakfast?" she asked.
"I'll eat at the office," he replied.
Then she said firmly,
"You're not going anywhere until you take Zhan to school."
Yibo turned quickly.
"Mum, I can't. Can't the driver or someone else take him?"
She stared at him.
"So you're directly telling me you can't?"
He sighed.
"Mum, I have work. The driver can handle it...you know that."
She didn't respond again. Instead, she turned and walked upstairs.
Yibo frowned and followed her.
Meanwhile, after Diwa woke Zhan and told him the news, he became overjoyed...he was practically dancing with excitement.
But then Diwa suddenly frowned.
"So I'm the only one Ma'am doesn't care about in this house. I cook, clean, wash… yet no school for me. God is watching."
Zhan, who had been heading to the bathroom, stopped and turned back with wide eyes.
"Aunty cook… you're already grown. Why didn't you go to school before?"
Diwa scoffed and tapped his nose lightly.
"At least I'm not like that Divorcée, acting all high and mighty."
Zhan replied quickly,
"Do you know how long it's been since I went to school? Since I was with my mother. If I had grown older like this, I might never have gone again."
Without waiting for her reply, he rushed into the bathroom.
Before 7 a.m., all the children were ready.
Diwa made sure Zhan was properly dressed in one of the outfits she had bought for him at the market. She even applied a bit of powder to his face, put kohl in his eyes and adjusted him neatly.
Zhan could barely eat breakfast because of his excitement...he just wanted to get to school.
Yibo was seated in the living room, holding a mug of coffee. Siya and the others were at the dining table eating, while Zhan sat in the kitchen.
Diwa had spread a small veil on the floor for him so his clothes wouldn't get stained.
When the Driver honked outside, Diwa quickly pulled Zhan up, snatched the bread from his hand, and pushed him toward the door.
"Hurry up! Before they change their minds!"
Yibo stepped outside and met the Driver.
"I'll take them myself. Don't worry."
By then, Siya and the others had already come out. When the Driver told them, Siya frowned and leaned against the car.
"So he saw us and didn't say anything? I really don't like Yibo-ge sometimes."
Anie replied,
"I actually like him this way. He's even better than Bozai-ge."
Siya muttered,
"That's why I keep praying Bozai-ge returns with Dad soon."
They all headed toward Yibo's car, with Baby following behind.
Meanwhile, Yibo went upstairs to Mrs. Wang's room and found her already dressed...ready to take Zhan to school herself.
He sighed.
"Mum, you know I didn't mean it. Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have taken him."
She cut him off.
"As long as I'm capable, I'd rather handle what concerns me myself. Bozai would never look me in the face and say he can't do something I asked. This is just the difference between you two."
Yibo lowered his voice.
"I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't know you'd be upset."
"I'm not upset," she replied calmly. "You're the one who got upset. If you want to go to work, go ahead. I'll take him myself."
He smiled slightly and said gently,
"Please, Mum. Let me take him."
After much persuasion, he finally convinced her to stay.
She even tried to transfer the school fees to him, but he refused and insisted on paying with his own money.
When Yibo came downstairs with his car keys, he found Zhan standing awkwardly by the living room door...it was obvious Siya and the others had pushed him aside.
Diwa was also standing near the back door, saying insults earlier but falling silent the moment she saw Yibo.
She lowered her head respectfully.
"Safe journey, sir."
"Alright," Yibo replied briefly before stepping out.
Diwa then pushed Zhan forward and shut the door behind him.
Zhan followed Yibo closely until they reached the car. Siya and Anei fell silent, both staring at him.
Yibo looked at them coldly.
"Which of you sent him away?"
Baby quickly raised her hands.
"It wasn't me, I swear!"
Yibo's gaze didn't soften.
"Then who?"
She pointed at Siya and Anei.
Yibo turned to them.
"Why did you send him away?"
Anei spoke first, slightly defensive.
"He just came and stood near the car. We're the ones going to school."
"He is going to school too," Yibo replied firmly.
Siya's eyes widened in shock.
"What? Our school??"
Baby nodded.
"Yes, Mum told me earlier."
Siya's expression crumbled.
"Gege, not our school… please. If he must go to school, there are many others. Take him somewhere else."
Tears gathered in her eyes, and even Anei looked uneasy. Zhan simply stood aside, watching everything quietly.
Yibo gave a short nod.
"Alright. If I take him to your school, then don't let them admit him."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Baby.
"Get in."
She quickly entered the front seat. Yibo opened the back door and looked at Zhan.
"Get in."
Zhan rushed inside. Yibo shut the door, then turned back to Siya and Anei.
"Go with the driver," he said coldly. "Because if you enter this car, I might do something you won't like. Either you go with him, or you stay here until 4 O'Clock."
He started the engine, and the gate was opened for him.
As he drove off, Siya burst into frustrated tears, Anei trying to console her.
:
:
"Beijing No. 4 High School…"
Zhan kept repeating the name in his head as they drove into the large school compound.
Baby stepped out first. Yibo turned to Zhan, staring at his face.
"What is that on your eyes?"
Zhan blinked.
"Diwa put it for me… makeup."
Yibo clicked his tongue, pulled out his handkerchief, and handed it to him.
"Wipe that thing off. You look like a herbalist."
Zhan laughed.
"A herbalist?"
Yibo ignored him.
Zhan began wiping it off, but suddenly Yibo stepped closer, took the handkerchief, and started cleaning his face himself.
Zhan winced.
"It hurts…"
"Good," Yibo said bluntly. "Next time, don't let her put it on you."
After making sure his face was clean, Yibo stepped away and walked straight to the principal's office. It was his former school, and the principal hadn't changed.
He greeted him respectfully, and the man welcomed him warmly.
"I'm here to enroll him," Yibo said, gesturing to Zhan.
"What grade?" the principal asked.
Zhan was about to answer Grade 12, but Yibo cut in,
"Grade 13."
Zhan stared at him in shock, but Yibo ignored him and continued speaking.
The principal asked for a transfer letter. Yibo paused briefly, then said he would bring it later. Since the principal knew him and his family, he didn't argue.
Zhan was interviewed, and without delay, he was accepted into Grade 13.
Yibo immediately paid all the fees, including uniforms and documents.
As the principal prepared the receipt, he asked,
"What's his name?"
Before Zhan could speak, Yibo answered,
"Zhan Meilin."
Zhan's eyes widened again.
"Surname?" the principal asked.
Yibo glanced at Zhan.
Zhan lowered his head slightly.
"Xiao."
The principal suggested he resume the next day, but Yibo refused.
"He starts today. I have work...I won't be able to bring him back home."
They left the office together. Yibo showed him the classroom.
As they walked, Yibo asked,
"Which school did you attend before?"
Zhan told him.
"In Shanghai?" Yibo asked.
Zhan nodded.
They walked in silence until they reached Baby's class.
"Go in," Yibo said.
Zhan waved at him slightly before entering. Yibo turned and walked away.
⏭ ⏭ ⏭
By a few minutes to four, the driver dropped them at home.
Siya and Anei came out of the car first, still upset. Zhan stepped out afterward, holding a bag with his uniforms and documents. Baby carried the rest.
Diwa immediately rushed to him, pulling the uniforms out of the bag with excitement.
"So, you're a student now!" she said with a wide smile. "What did they teach you today?"
Zhan laughed while removing his clothes.
"I'll tell you after I bathe."
He ran into the bathroom.
Later, Diwa brought food to their room after serving the others.
Zhan stared at the different pepper soups in front of him.
"You cooked a lot today."
Diwa replied,
"Mr. Wang and Yibo's younger brother are coming back today. They're already on a flight. I've been cooking since morning...more than six dishes. I also heard Ma'am say the Divorcée Aunty might return today."
Zhan paused mid-bite.
"Who is Mr. Wang?"
Diwa frowned.
"Yibo's father."
Zhan blinked in surprise.
"He has a father? I thought he was the head of the house."
Diwa clicked her tongue.
"What nonsense. Did he give birth to himself? His father is coming back...with his younger brother, Bozai."
"Oh…" Zhan muttered, continuing to eat.
After eating, Baby came in.
"Mum said I should call you."
Zhan followed her upstairs.
It had been a long time since he went up there...not since Lihua chased him away.
Baby opened Mrs. Wang's door and entered. Zhan stood at the entrance, peeking in.
"Come in, Zhan," Mrs. Wang said.
He walked in and sat on the floor.
"Good evening."
"How was the school?" she asked.
Zhan smiled.
"I like it."
"Did they give you uniforms?"
He nodded.
Baby added excitedly,
"We're in the same class!"
"That's good," Mrs. Wang said.
"Where are your books?"
"I'll get them," Zhan said quickly, running downstairs and returning with them.
Mrs. Wang looked through them and noticed the name.
"Meilin? Is that your name too?"
Zhan smiled and nodded.
She smiled back, then handed him a new school bag, a pair of shoes, and three pairs of socks.
"Use these."
Zhan's eyes lit up.
"Thank you Aunty!"
"You're welcome. You can go."
He left happily.
Baby looked at her mother.
"When will you buy me a new bag too?"
"Soon," she replied.
Zhan ran to the kitchen to show Diwa.
Diwa beamed.
"Since that Divorcée left, your life has improved. May she stay away until Ma'am is done taking care of you...and me too!"
Anei suddenly entered the kitchen, and Diwa went quiet immediately, leaving with the items. Zhan followed her.
Not even five minutes later, there was a knock.
Diwa opened the door...it was Yibo, holding a bag.
"Give this to him," he said.
She bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
He said nothing and left.
Diwa opened the bag and gasped...two pairs of shoes, three socks, and a water bottle like Baby's.
She muttered,
"And I thought I wasn't valued in this house…"
Zhan rushed over.
"What is it?"
She nudged him.
"You're luckier than me."
Zhan laughed, taking the bag. On the front was written:
Meilin
His eyes widened with excitement.
"Wow…"
***
They got ready to go for their lesson after eating. The moment Zhan came out wearing his lesson uniform, Siya kept shooting him sharp looks.
Diwa noticed and quickly pulled Zhan into the kitchen.
"Before they finish their nonsense and all this glarings, go outside and wait by the car."
Zhan nodded and went out, standing quietly beside the car.
Soon, Yibo came out, with Baby following behind him, already dressed.
Baby said,
"Gege, aren't we going to pick up Daddy?"
As Yibo opened his car door, he replied,
"You have lesson, Baby."
She pouted.
"Gege, I want to skip just today."
"And the punishment you'll get?" he asked.
She said quickly,
"I'll just say I'm sick, and you can write me a medical report."
Yibo scoffed lightly.
"Get in the car and go to school… your mouth is already writing the report."
She turned away, almost in tears, and walked over to Zhan, who had been watching quietly.
Yibo entered his car and drove off.
A few minutes past six, they returned from their lesson.
In the living room sat a young man alone, working on his laptop. He didn't look exactly like Yibo, but there was a clear resemblance...you could tell they were brothers.
Siya and the others rushed to him excitedly.
Siya hugged him tightly.
"I missed you so much, Bozai-ge! Please, when will Yibo-Ge leave? He's making the house so boring. If Daddy is going back, he should take him along and leave you for us. Honestly, Yibo-Ge is a problem in this house. He doesn't even let us attend birthday parties...just school and lessons!"
She looked like she might cry by the time she finished.
Bozai only responded with soft "hmm" sounds, nodding slightly.
Anei quietly slipped upstairs.
As Siya turned, her eyes landed on Yibo sitting at the dining table, watching her.
She froze, quickly covering her mouth.
"I'm finished…"
Bozai chuckled under his breath, trying not to laugh out loud.
Zhan, who had been standing nearby, covered his face with his shirt and hurried off to Diwa's room, smiling.
Bozai watched him leave, then asked curiously,
"Who's that?"
Siya frowned.
"The new housemaid after Diwa…"
Bozai's eyes widened.
"What?"
She shrugged and stood up, sneaking a glance at Yibo.
"Welcome back, Gege."
Yibo simply picked up his fork.
Seeing that, Siya quickly ran upstairs.
Bozai smiled and walked over to the dining area.
"Big bro, you've really scared them, haven't you?"
Yibo ignored him and continued eating his apple.
That night, everyone gathered at the dining table. Whenever Mr. Wang was home, dinner was always taken together.
Diwa carried the last tray of fried chicken toward the dining area. At the same time, Zhan came out of the kitchen, holding his own plate, heading toward Diwa's room.
Mr. Wang noticed him immediately.
He looked at Mrs. Wang.
"Do we have a guest?"
Mrs. Wang glanced toward Zhan just before he entered the room and called him back.
Zhan turned and returned.
Yibo glanced at him once, then lowered his head and continued eating.
Mrs. Wang spoke calmly,
"He's a boy I took in, Daddy. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. He's been here for almost three weeks. I was waiting for you to come back."
Mr. Wang raised an eyebrow.
"Took him in? From where?"
Mrs. Wang gave a small smile.
"He's an orphan, as you can see."
Bozai turned to look at Zhan as he approached. Siya rolled her eyes and pushed her food around her plate in annoyance.
When Zhan got closer, he looked at Mr. Wang and said softly,
"Good evening, sir."
Mr. Wang smiled warmly.
"Good evening. How are you son?"
"I'm fine, thank you. How was your trip?" Zhan replied politely.
Mr. Wang glanced at Mrs. Wang with a smile.
"It was great."
Zhan fell silent. Mr. Wang gestured to the chair beside Bozai.
"Come, have a seat as well son."
Bozai watched Zhan from the corner of his eyes, studying him carefully.
Zhan shook his head slightly.
"No, sir… I'd prefer to eat alone."
Mr. Wang smiled again.
"Alright then. Do as you like."
"Thank you," Zhan said softly before turning and leaving.
As he picked up his fork, Mr. Wang said thoughtfully,
"He's sharp. That's how I want Baby to be, but she's too gentle."
Baby pouted immediately, while Mrs. Wang laughed at her expression.
Meanwhile, Diwa walked away, smiling to herself. Even the master of the house noticed how fluent Zhan's English is, she thought proudly.
After Mr. Wang left the dining area, Bozai turned to Mrs. Wang.
"Mom, who is that boy?"
Yibo placed his cup down and said coolly,
"Do you have any business with him?"
Siya shot Yibo an annoyed look.
"I already told you, Bozai-ge....he's just a housemaid. Or don't you believe me?"
Mrs. Wang turned to her sharply.
"Whether he's a housemaid or not is none of your concern. And don't call him that again. Such disrespect."
Siya angrily dropped her spoon and stormed out.
Yibo watched her leave with a hard expression.
Bozai stood up as well.
"You upset her over someone like that? For what reason Mom?"
He walked out too, followed shortly by Anei.
Mrs. Wang watched them go before sighing softly.
"May things turn out well."
Yibo remained silent.
Soon after, Mrs. Wang also stood and left.
Baby quickly gathered the leftover meat from the table onto her own plate.
Yibo watched her and smirked.
"Glutton of the house."
She grinned.
"I don't want it to go to waste, Gege."
"Then go and share it with Meilin," he said.
She immediately stood up and carried the plate to Diwa's room. Moments later, she returned and set the empty plate back on the table.
"I gave it to him, Gege. I'm going to Mom's room now."
She ran upstairs.
Yibo was still seated when Zhan came out holding his plate, heading toward the kitchen. He paused when he saw him, then walked closer instead.
Smiling brightly, Zhan said,
"Gege, thank you for the school bag. I really love it."
Yibo looked at him.
"Who told you my name is Gege?"
Zhan laughed lightly.
"I heard Baby call you that. Aunt calls you Yibo, and Siya calls you Yibo-Gege."
Yibo said nothing.
Zhan turned to leave, then paused and came back.
"But… did you buy the bag with the name 'Meilin' on it, or did you have it written later?"
"I don't know," Yibo replied indifferently.
Zhan blinked.
"Okay…"
Then he walked off to the kitchen.
Seeing Diwa come out to clean the dining area, Yibo stood up and went upstairs.
Before Zhan went to sleep, Baby came into his room carrying gifts their father had brought back...chocolates, teddy bears, children story books, shoes, sweaters, ribbons, and even a set of clothes.
It was obvious they originally belonged to her, but Mrs. Wang had shared the unisex and asked her to give some to Zhan.
Baby also brought Diwa her share, and Diwa thanked her happily.
****
The next morning, while Zhan and the others were already at school, Diwa was in the kitchen when she heard Bozai's voice from the living room.
"The great aunt! I was just about to call you and ask when you'd be back...and it turns out you're already on your way."
Lihua walked in with bags, looking irritated.
"Honestly, we had the worst driver. I should've taken sister's car, but she refused. Otherwise, who would dare ruin my mood like that on the road?"
Bozai helped her carry the bags inside.
"Well, that's what happens when you use puplic transportations, Aunt."
From the kitchen doorway, Diwa peeked out, her eyes widening.
"So… the divorcée is back," she muttered under her breath.
Lihua's voice rang out,
"Shao, are you coming in or are you still struggling with your shoes?"
Diwa looked up...and froze when her eyes met Lihua's.
She quickly stepped out with a wide smile.
"Welcome, Ma'am! You've arrived safely."
Ignoring her greeting, Lihua said coldly,
"Prepare breakfast for Shao. She hasn't eaten."
Only then did the girl step fully into the living room. She was about the same age as Baby, but her condition told a different story...faint scars marked her skin.
Diwa rushed over and hugged her warmly.
"So this is Shao! Such a beautiful girl...welcome."
Lihua snapped,
"Let go of her and go prepare her food. Always acting overly familiar."
Diwa hurried back to the kitchen.
Shao shot her a disgusted look.
"So she's just the housemaid? She almost dirtied my clothes."
Bozai chuckled.
"Oh? She'd dirty your clothes? Where are Ruo and the others?"
"They don't know we've come back," Shao replied, pouting.
As Lihua headed toward the stairs with her bags, she said,
"Come with me after breakfast. I'll prepare hot water for your bath. Bozai, when did you arrive?"
"Yesterday," he answered.
"Then your father must be with Jie," she said.
"I believe so."
He followed her upstairs with the remaining luggage.
Once they reached her room, she asked,
"Where is Yibo?"
"He went to work," Bozai replied.
Just then, Mrs. Wang entered the room after hearing her sister's voice.
💚💙❤🖤