Throughout the school term, whether it was assignments or overall performance, Shao consistently struggled, scoring as low as two or three. Baby found it endlessly amusing and never missed a chance to laugh about it.
Zhan, on the other hand, kept to himself and stayed out of it.
On Friday, after school, Zhan was in the kitchen with Diwa, telling her about the day. Diwa shook her head as she listened.
"What I don't understand," she said, "is how Shao doesn't realize she's learning nothing if she can't even answer simple questions in class."
Zhan shrugged lightly. "I'm not talking about her. I'm just sharing about the students who are doing well."
Diwa clicked her tongue. "You're too quiet, that's your problem. That's why Baby is so bold. That girl is something else...sharp-tongued and fearless."
Zhan gave a small laugh. "I stay out of those things."
Diwa leaned closer, lowering her voice with exaggerated irritation. "I'm telling you, that girl is trouble. Everything about her just screams it."
That made Zhan laugh properly, clapping his hands. Diwa wiped her mouth and continued, muttering under her breath about attitudes and upbringing, clearly annoyed.
Zhan chose not to respond.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed from outside, followed by another. They exchanged a look and rushed out.
In the living room stood Lihua, smiling coldly. Bags....Diwa's belongings and everything from her room...had been dragged out and thrown toward the entrance.
"I've been waiting for this day," Lihua said smoothly. "Diwa, standing in my kitchen as if you belong here. Your time is up. Pack your things and leave."
Diwa stood still, silent.
Lihua turned sharply and strode outside. "Han!" she called.
Han hurried over.
She pointed at the scattered belongings. "Take all this and throw it out by the gate."
Zhan's eyes filled with tears. "Please… don't send her away…"
Lihua struck him hard across the back, three sharp blows that made him double over.
"You'll follow her soon enough."
Zhan dropped to his knees, crying, turning desperately to Diwa. "Please… ask her to forgive you… don't go…"
Lihua snapped, "Get out! Or do you want me to drag you out myself?"
Diwa gave a faint, calm smile. "I'm leaving."
Zhan clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Don't go… please…"
Lihua's patience snapped completely. "Get up and pack your things! Don't you dare try to stop her!"
Zhan struggled to his feet, but Diwa gently held him back.
"It's alright," she said softly. "Take care of yourself. Focus on your studies."
She picked up her remaining bag and walked out without another word...without even collecting her wages.
Baby burst into tears. "Why are you sending her away aunt? She's kind....and she cooks so well!"
Lihua twisted her ear harshly. "This is not your decision to make."
She followed Diwa out, ensuring she left completely before returning inside. The guard stood frozen, saying nothing.
Back in the house, Lihua muttered angrily to herself, then grabbed Shao and took her upstairs.
:
:
When Mrs. Wang returned, Zhan sat in the same spot where Diwa used to tell him to sit. His face was blank, his tears long dried.
After hearing what happened, Mrs. Wang said nothing at first. A chill ran through her. She went upstairs and called Yibo, asking him to come home immediately.
He arrived quickly. After listening, he stood in silence before asking quietly, "Do you know where Diwa might have gone?"
Mrs. Wang shook her head. "She has no phone. She wasn't even paid. And Zhan…" her voice faltered, "he's heartbroken. I don't understand why Lihua insists on turning this house upside down."
Yibo exhaled slowly. "I'll speak to the guard. If she comes back, he should let her in."
He left the room and went downstairs.
At the door, he saw Lihua listening in. She shot him a hard look before walking away. He ignored her and continued outside, instructing Han accordingly before returning inside.
Baby sat quietly, still upset. Siya and Anei were silent too.
Yibo muttered to himself, "At this rate, she'll destroy this home."
He turned to Baby. "Where's Zhan?"
She gestured helplessly.
He went outside and found Zhan sitting alone, eyes swollen. The moment Zhan saw him, tears started again.
Yibo knelt in front of him. "Why are you crying?"
"They sent her away…" Zhan whispered.
Yibo paused. "Do you want to go with her?"
Zhan shook his head quickly.
"Then let it go," Yibo said gently. "She'll come back."
"When?" Zhan asked softly.
"Mum will find her."
Zhan nodded faintly.
"Go wash your face."
Zhan obeyed, returning quietly.
Later, as they passed the kitchen, Lihua called out sharply, "You....come here."
Zhan stopped.
She pointed at a broom. "Sweep the entire house. That's your job."
Zhan picked it up without protest.
Just then, Mrs. Wang came downstairs and stopped him. "Put that down. Go upstairs and do your assignments with Baby."
He obeyed immediately.
The next morning, the house echoed with the sound of Lihua clattering dishes.
Yibo, seated in the living room after his morning walk, simply shook his head with a faint smile.
Upstairs, he entered Baby's room and saw her examining Zhan's eye.
"What happened?" he asked.
Baby frowned. "Shao accused us of stealing her pen. Then she threw one at Zhan...it hit his eye."
Yibo checked it carefully. "And you just sat there?"
Baby scoffed. "Zhan doesn't like trouble. If it were me…"
Yibo didn't respond. He turned and went downstairs.
He found Shao eating in the dining room.
"Shao," he called.
She froze. It was the first time he had addressed her directly.
"Come here."
She approached cautiously.
He led her outside, shut the door, and held her firmly.
"So you can stare at people but not greet them?"
She struggled.
He struck her, then grabbed her ear, his anger controlled but firm. She cried out as he disciplined her without hesitation.
Her screams brought Bozai and Lihua rushing out, but Yibo didn't even look at them. When he was done, he released her and walked straight out of the compound.
Lihua was furious when she saw the marks.
"What did you do?" she demanded.
Shao cried, "He said I don't greet him…"
Lihua's face hardened with resentment.
"Fine," she said coldly. "He will answer to me."
Mrs. Wang stood nearby, speechless.
****
Life in the house went on, but the tension only grew.
Without Diwa, everything changed. The house ran poorly, meals were inconsistent, and responsibilities were divided unevenly. Zhan quietly endured more work and more pressure, especially whenever Mrs. Wang wasn't home.
Still, he focused on his studies.
Only with Yibo, Baby, and Mrs. Wang did he find any peace.
When the Zhongkao exam season came, Zhan and Baby studied constantly. Shao barely tried.
Each day, her expression after school said enough.
On the final day, Lihua came to pick them up.
As the others got into the car, she stopped Zhan and threw money at him.
"This is all you're worth. Find your own way home."
She drove off.
Zhan slowly picked up the money, his chest tight in a way he didn't understand before.
For the first time, it truly hurt him.
He took a tricycle home, greeted Han at the gate, and went inside quietly.
The house was empty.
He went upstairs to change.
As Zhan was changing, the bedroom door suddenly opened.
He turned sharply.
Bozai stood in the doorway.
Zhan lowered his gaze at once. "Good afternoon."
Bozai didn't respond. He stepped inside and quietly shut the door behind him.
Zhan instinctively moved back, unease creeping into his chest.
Bozai folded his arms, studying him. "Did I do something to you in this house that makes you avoid me?"
Zhan struggled to answer, his voice low. "No… you didn't do anything."
Bozai took a step closer. "Then why is it that you only pay attention to Yibo?"
Zhan retreated another step, his back nearly meeting the wall. "I don't… I treat you the same."
Bozai reached out and grabbed his hand.
Zhan flinched and pulled away quickly, his eyes filling with tears. "I don't like this… Please… isn't it the same as how you treat Baby?"
Bozai's expression hardened slightly. "It's not the same. Baby is my blood."
He reached for Zhan again.
Zhan pulled away once more, shaking his head, his voice trembling. "Please… don't…"
Bozai tilted his head, watching him. "So now you're pretending you don't want me to touch you?"
A tear slipped down Zhan's cheek. "I'm not pretending… I just don't want that."
A faint, unsettling smile touched Bozai's lips. "Then you'll have to. Just for today."
Zhan lowered his eyes, his voice barely steady. "I'm sorry… I'm not that kind of person."
He tried to move past him, but Bozai grabbed him firmly.
Zhan let out a cry, panic rising.
"So I'm the bad one now?" Bozai said.
Zhan broke into sobs. "Please… let me go… stop…"
Before anything else could happen, the door opened.
Both of them turned.
Yibo stood there.
His gaze was fixed...cold, unblinking.
Bozai released Zhan immediately and moved toward the door.
Yibo didn't move aside.
"What are you doing here?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing," Bozai replied shortly.
As he tried to walk past, Yibo caught him by the arm, pulled him back....and struck him across the face.
The sound echoed.
Bozai staggered slightly, holding his cheek, stunned. "You hit me?"
Yibo met his eyes. "Yes. Will you slap me too?."
For several long seconds, Bozai stared at him, something unreadable passing through his expression. Then he turned and walked out without another word.
Zhan had collapsed to the floor, his knees drawn in, his face buried as he cried.
Yibo stepped into the room and looked down at him.
After a moment, he asked quietly, "Why did you come home alone?"
Zhan's voice broke. "Aunt Lihua… said I couldn't come with them. She gave me money to find my own way."
Yibo said nothing.
He stood there for a while, then slowly crouched in front of him.
"Let it go," he said. "Don't hold onto it."
Zhan nodded weakly, though tears still streamed down his face. "I already have."
Silence settled between them.
After a moment, Zhan stood up unsteadily and reached for his clothes, pulling them on properly.
Yibo watched him, then said, "Don't tell Mom about this. It will only upset her."
Zhan nodded softly. "I won't."
Yibo gave a slight nod and left the room.
He went straight to Bozai's room.
Bozai was sitting on the edge of the bed, his posture rigid.
Yibo didn't sit. His voice was firm, controlled.
"This is the first and last time you'll look at Zhan in this house."
Bozai didn't look up.
"If it happens again," Yibo continued, "I won't care what ties we share."
The warning hung heavy in the air.
Without waiting for a response, Yibo turned and left.
Later In another room, Lihua sat watching Bozai closely.
"He slapped you?" she asked.
Bozai only shook his head slightly, saying nothing.
Her expression darkened. "And you just stood there? Why didn't you hit him back?"
Bozai glanced at her. "Hit him back...Him?"
"Yes," she snapped. "Since he's forgotten his place. Does he think he's untouchable? What gave him that courage?"
Bozai clicked his tongue softly, offering no reply.
Lihua bit her finger, pacing slightly before a slow, calculating smile spread across her face.
"Fine," she murmured. "If he thinks he understands everything…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"…then we'll see how much he really knows."
The tension in the house thickened....quiet, dangerous, and far from over.
⏭ ⏭
That evening, Zhan stayed in his room, refusing to come out after everything that had happened.
After a while, Baby walked in from Mrs. Wang's room and paused when she saw him.
"Zhan… you've been quiet all afternoon," she said, studying his face. "Is it because of what Aunt Lihua did at school?"
Zhan shook his head gently. "No… I just don't feel alright."
Baby's eyes widened. "Then you should tell Mum. Or at least tell Yibo-ge....he'll know what to do."
Zhan forced a small smile. "I'll be fine."
Baby hesitated, then turned and left.
She went straight to Yibo's room and sat beside him, waiting for him to finish his call.
When he did, he looked at her. "What is it?"
"It's Zhan," she said. "He's been off all day. I asked him, and he said he's not feeling well."
Yibo glanced toward the door, already half-rising. Then he paused.
"Go call him for me."
Baby returned to their room. "Brother is calling you," she said.
Zhan, who had just lain down, frowned slightly. "I didn't ask you to tell him anything."
Baby shrugged. "If you don't go, I'll tell him you refused."
She left again.
Zhan sighed softly, got up, straightened his clothes, and followed.
As he stepped into the hallway, he crossed paths with Lihua, who had just come out of her room.
Her eyes narrowed when she saw where he was headed.
For a moment, it looked like she might stop him...but instead, she only gave him a cold glance.
Zhan lowered his gaze and walked past her without a word.
He knocked lightly and stepped into Yibo's room.
Baby was already inside.
Zhan stopped near the door. "You called me."
Yibo looked at him. "You're not feeling well. What's wrong?"
Zhan glanced at Baby. "I said I wasn't fine...not that I was sick."
Baby scoffed. "So now you're twisting your words?"
Zhan smiled faintly.
Yibo looked at Baby. "You can go."
She got up immediately. "Alright," she said, and left.
Yibo turned back to Zhan. "Come here."
Zhan stepped closer.
Yibo pulled out a chair and placed it in front of him. "Sit."
Zhan obeyed, sitting quietly.
Yibo leaned back slightly, his voice calm. "I told you not to carry things in your heart."
Zhan lowered his eyes. "I'm not."
Yibo watched him for a moment.
Then, softly...."Zhan."
Zhan looked up.
Yibo held his gaze. "Tell me… when did you lose your parent?"
The question broke something.
Zhan's eyes filled instantly.
Yibo shook his head gently. "No tears."
Zhan nodded quickly, trying to steady himself, his fingers twisting together.
"My father told me… I lost my mother when I was very young," he began quietly. "So it was always just the two of us."
His voice softened as he spoke.
"He took care of everything. School… food… everything. We didn't lack anything. He always made sure I was comfortable. If he traveled, he took me with him."
A faint smile touched his lips, but it didn't last.
"That continued until he remarried."
Yibo listened without interrupting.
"My stepmother… she was kind," Zhan continued. "She treated me well. I never felt unwanted."
Yibo asked gently, "Did she have children?"
Zhan shook his head. "No. I was the only one."
He paused, his expression changing.
"Then one day… my father traveled."
His voice trembled.
"We saw him off that morning."
He swallowed hard.
"That was the last time."
The tears came again, quietly this time.
"He never came back."
Yibo reached out and held his hand, his voice low. "It's alright… don't force yourself."
Zhan nodded, trying to continue.
"There was an accident… and that was it."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then....
"What happened after?" Yibo asked gently.
Zhan took a breath.
"We stayed alone for a while… just me and my stepmother. Then my uncle came. He said they needed to handle my father's property."
His tone grew distant.
"In the end… I was taken away. My stepmother went her own way, and I was sent to live with my uncle."
Yibo's expression hardened slightly.
Zhan continued, recounting everything....the hardship, the neglect, the way he was treated in that house. Then how his stepmother came back for him, taking him somewhere else… only for things to grow difficult again.
"And eventually…" he finished quietly, "I was brought here."
When he fell silent, the room felt heavy.
Yibo didn't speak immediately.
When he finally did, his voice was softer than before.
"I'm sorry, Zhan."
Zhan shook his head. "It's alright."
Yibo exhaled slowly. "It won't always be like this. Give it time."
Zhan nodded.
"And Aunt Lihua…" Yibo added, his tone steady, "be patient with her. She won't always be this way."
Zhan hesitated, then said softly, "Okay."
Yibo continued, "As for Bozai...you keep your distance. You don't owe him anything."
Zhan nodded again. "Okay."
Yibo's expression softened.
He reached out and tapped Zhan lightly on the nose. "Good."
For the first time that day, Zhan smiled properly.
And for a moment...
everything felt just a little lighter.
Yibo said, "Now that there's no school, you'll be attending extra classes from morning until evening."
Zhan looked at him but didn't respond.
He softened his tone. "Alright. Go on now. Don't let things weigh on you, okay?"
He nodded, then picked up two novels from his desk. "Can I read these?"
"No," Yibo replied. "I'll get you something suitable tomorrow."
"Okay." He turned and left, and Yibo watched him quietly as he went.
****
Two days later, on Saturday morning, Mrs. Wang was in her room enjoying a rare quiet moment. Siya, Baby, Zhan...even Shao....had all gone out for lessons.
Lihua appeared at the doorway, dressed to leave, a small bag in hand.
"Jie, I'm going to visit a friend in Tianji who isn't feeling well. I may be gone for two or three days."
Mrs. Wang frowned slightly. "A friend? You've never mentioned anyone like that before."
Lihua's face tightened. "So now I have to report my entire life? I didn't think it mattered. Anyway, she doesn't even live there normally...she just traveled."
Mrs. Wang studied her for a moment, then said calmly, "Alright. Take care."
Lihua nodded. "And keep an eye on Shao. She's picky with food."
Mrs. Wang's gaze sharpened. "I know."
Without another word, Lihua turned and left.
Yibo was in the living room when she passed. She didn't acknowledge him.
He watched her go, then said mildly, "Safe trip."
She ignored him completely.
Later that evening, Yibo called Baby into his room.
"Why didn't you go to lessons today?"
"We went in the morning!" she replied quickly.
"Good. Then go get ready with Zhan. We're going out."
Her face lit up. "Really?! What about Shao and the others?"
"I'm not taking them."
She didn't wait another second...she ran off, grinning.
In Mrs. Wang's room, Zhan was arranging some new perfumes the driver had just delivered. Shao sat nearby, watching silently.
"Zhan! Brother said we should get ready...we're going out!" Baby announced.
Mrs. Wang paused, then nodded. "Alright. Go ahead."
Shao slid off the bed, her expression tightening. "So… he's not taking me?"
Mrs. Wang replied coolly, "Did you expect him to, after your behavior?"
Shao stormed out, close to tears.
Baby immediately pulled out matching outfits. "You'll wear this."
Zhan didn't argue.
"Thank goodness she's not coming," Baby added, laughing.
Zhan gave a small smile. "He has a good heart. He might take her."
Baby scoffed. "You know how much he dislikes disrespect."
Zhan said nothing, quietly getting dressed.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wang went to Yibo.
"You should take Shao with you too."
He shook his head. "That wasn't the plan."
"Then don't go at all," she said firmly...and walked away.
Moments later, Shao reappeared completely transformed...new outfit, heels, a small bag, makeup carefully applied, glasses perched on her nose, perfume lingering around her.
She walked into Baby's room.
Baby burst out laughing so hard she collapsed onto the bed.
Zhan turned away, hiding a smile.
"You're unbelievable," Baby said between laughs. "Who told you you were invited?"
Shao glared. "You're insane."
"Look at you," Baby continued. "All dressed up like you're going to a party."
Shao turned sharply and went to report her.
In the end, Yibo had no choice.
They all went together.
Baby sat in front, sulking. Shao and Zhan sat in the back.
The outing was short.
Ice cream. Pizza. Fries.
Nothing more.
Yibo's mood had already been ruined.
By Sunday evening, Lihua returned.
She walked into the house looking slightly worn, her steps uneven, but she didn't stop...just greeted briefly and went upstairs.
Yibo watched her go. "Where exactly is she coming from?"
Mrs. Wang shook her head. "I have no idea."
After bathing and changing, Lihua came back down and sat in the living room.
"Bring my food," she called.
Mrs. Wang observed her carefully. "You look… different."
Lihua frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You look like someone who's been somewhere rough."
Lihua stiffened. "I told you where I went. And I'm back, aren't I?"
Mrs. Wang simply said, "Some things speak for themselves."
Only then did Yibo greet her.
She responded stiffly.
He didn't linger...he went upstairs.
Lihua turned back to Mrs. Wang. "Where is Bozai?"
"He left yesterday. He may travel further from there."
Lihua frowned slightly. "And I was only gone briefly."
Mrs. Wang looked at her. "You said two days. You came back the next."
Lihua waved it off. "Plans changed."
She stood and went to the kitchen to get her own food.
The house settled again.
But underneath it all....
nothing was calm anymore.
💚💙❤🖤