Zhan slowly picked up his phone, put it to his ear, and greeted. From the other end, the person responded, "How are you, Meiqin?"
Zhan said, "I'm fine. How's work?"
He replied, "All good. Send me your account number right now."
Zhan was silent for a moment before saying, "Attorney... Roulan has clothes for the cold weather. Honestly, you shouldn't bother..."
Yang-Yang interrupted him and said, "I am not asking for your opinion, Meiqin."
Zhan said softly, "Okay then. How is baby Meiqin?"
Yang-Yang said, "She's with her mother."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Zizi standing near the dining area where he was sitting, watching him. He looked away and said, "I will call you later, Meiqin," then hung up and put the phone down.
Zizi laughed, clapping her hands and giving him a certain look, saying, "Cheating right in my own house, Yang?"
Yang-Yang did not look at her or acknowledge her.
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, and she said, "So, whatever woman you've found, I swear she will regret knowing you in her life. I will show her she's nothing and make her jealous of me. That's not possible unless she's not trying to take my husband."
He stood up, looking at her, and said, "What you don't know is that he is worth more than you in my eyes, Zizi. And you will see him enter this house and teach you how to take care of a husband." Without listening further, he left the living room.
Zizi could not stand still; she pulled a chair and sat down with difficulty, her heart pounding. After a moment, she smiled and said, "No magic, no cleric, but you'll be the one to advise him to leave you. Let's just go our separate ways....he's still too young for sharing a husband with me."
:
:
When Zhan arrived at Yunxi's car, his eyes were on him, while Yunxi was leaning against the car, scrolling on his phone. Yunxi did not notice Zhan's arrival until he caught his scent. He looked up at him, and Zhan quietly said, "Good evening."
Yunxi put his phone in his pocket and said, "How were the lectures?"
Zhan said, "Fine. What time does Roulan finish?"
Yunxi opened his eyes wide and said, "You really have no filter, do you?"
Zhan pouted and said, "What did I do? I'm just asking."
Yunxi smiled and said, "We'll pick him up from here. He's finishing up now too."
Zhan opened the front seat, got in, and Yunxi got in as well, started the car, and they left. When they arrived at Roulan's school, Yunxi did not say anything, and neither did Zhan.
Yunxi got out of the car, and in no time, they returned with Roulan. Roulan went around, opened the door where Zhan was sitting, hugged him, and said, "Uncle, good afternoon."
Zhan brought him into the car, seated him next to him, looking at him with a smile, and said, "How are you, sweetheart?"
Roulan said, "I'm fine, Uncle. I love the school. I wish Rouxue could come here too. I really miss him."
Zhan did not say anything, as he was used to this...there was not a day that went by without Roulan mentioning Rouxue, always wishing he were with him. Just then, the chocolate that Yibo had given him come to mind. Zhan quietly opened his bag, took out the chocolate, and handed it to Roulan.
Roulan took it happily and said, "Wow, Uncle, did you buy this for me?"
Zhan shook his head and said, "No."
Roulan widened his eyes, turned, and looked at Yunxi, who was driving, and said, "Dr. Uncle, did you buy it for me?"
Yunxi looked at him, smiled, and said, "No, it wasn't me."
Roulan turned his gaze back to Zhan and said, "Then, Momy, who bought it for me?"
Zhan said, "If you don't want to eat it, I will."
Roulan opened the chocolate and said, "No, Momy, I want it. It's the same kind that kind uncle at Grandma's house gives us. He told me his name is Daddy. Momy, I want to go to their house in China."
Zhan just looked at the boy. Roulan broke off a piece, handed it to Yunxi, and said, "Dr. Uncle, taste it."
Yunxi smiled, shook his head, and said, "No, thanks, son. Eat it yourself, and don't give it to your Momy."
The boy laughed and did not say anything. Then he looked at Zhan and signaled him to open his mouth. Zhan smiled, opened his mouth, and Roulan put the chocolate in gently, stealing glances at Yunxi.
When they got home, after Yunxi parked, Zhan got out of the car with Roulan, looking at him. In a low voice, he said, "Thank you."
Yunxi got out, mimicking his voice, and said, "Thank you." Then he closed his car. Zhan glared at him, then smiled and went to his apartment, holding Roulan's hand. Yunxi leaned against his car, crossed his arms, and watched them.
***
Ever since Zhan finished his lectures that day, he had been sitting in the cafeteria without any reason. Even after the 2 p.m. lecture ended, he remained seated, not getting up.
Mian-Mian came into the cafeteria with a girl who was clearly Chinese.
Mian-Mian, seeing Zhan, smiled and said, "Zhan, here you are. How were the lectures?"
Zhan said, "Fine. How are you?"
Mian-Mian said, "I'm fine." Mian-Mian looked at the girl next to her and said, "Zaan, meet your namesake, Zhan. He's studying pharmacy here. He's also Chinese, from Beijing."
The one Mian-Mian called Zaan smiled and said, "It's nice meeting you, namesake."
Zhan smiled brightly and said, "Nice meeting you too."
The two sat down with Zhan.
Mian-Mian said, "She came on vacation with her younger sister, and I brought her to see Cambridge."
Zaan looked at Zhan and said, "Zhan, you look like Situ. Don't you see it Mian-Mian?"
Mian-Mian looked at Zhan carefully, then laughed and said, "They just look similar, not the same, and the nose..."
Zaan said, "Exactly. Mom saw him and thought he was Situ."
Zhan did not say anything but smiled. He just felt he liked Zaan.
Mian-Mian ordered drinks and snacks for the three of them. While drinking, she said, "Zaan, why did Tieh refuse to come with us?"
Zhan looked up at them.
Zaan clicked her tongue and said, "She said she does not want to run into Dr. Luo."
Mian-Mian said, "Oh, Dr. Luo comes to this school twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays. I think those are his study days." Mian-Mian looked at Zhan and said, "You know, he's his neighbor, Zaan."
Zaan quickly looked at Zhan and said, "Oh, really?"
Mian-Mian laughed and said, "Yes, the day I went to his house with our friends, I saw him. He told me he lives there."
Zaan said, "Which neighborhood?"
Mian-Mian told her the neighborhood while eating her snack. Zaan said, "Oh, I just heard that he called Tieh and she gave him the address. He said he'll come by this evening."
Mian-Mian said, "To our house?"
Zaan said, "Sure."
Mian-Mian said, "Okay, that's fine."
Zhan stood up, smiling, and said, "Mian-Mian, I'm going to my next lecture now."
Mian-Mian said, "Oh, but you did not take your snack or drink."
Zhan forced a smile, took them, and said, "Thank you." Then he left the cafeteria after also saying goodbye to Zaan.
Zaan watched him go, then looked at Mian-Mian and said, "Mian-Mian, joke aside, he really looks like Shutong. If you notice, even Mamo looks similar." Mian-Mian said, "A coincidence."
Zhan went to sit somewhere else because their noise was giving him a headache. He had been sitting there for about an hour when Yunxi called him. He stared at the call before answering, and Yunxi said, "Are you done with your lectures, Zhan?"
Zhan shook his head and said, "No, when I'm done, I'll come home. You can just go."
Yunxi said, "What time will you finish?"
Zhan pouted as if he were not going to say anything, then said, "Evening."
Yunxi said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Then he hung up.
At 4 p.m., Zhan arrived where Yunxi was waiting for him. His face was tense. He quietly opened the car door and got in. Yunxi looked at him and said, "How were the lectures?"
As if forced, Zhan said, "Fine."
After they left the school grounds, Yunxi said, "Who upset you?"
Zhan was silent and did not say anything. Yunxi did not say anything else until he reached Roulan's school, got out, picked him up, and they headed home. Outside, he parked, watching Zhan as he got out of the car. Roulan also got out.
Yunxi said, "I'm going somewhere now. I'll be back."
Zhan's eyes widened as he looked at him and said, "To Tieh's place, right?"
Yunxi stared at him in surprise. Zhan clicked his tongue and said, "Somewhere...huh?" Then he took Roulan's hand, and they went inside.
Yunxi scratched his head, started the car, reversed, and left.
⏭ ⏭
In the evening, Zhan was in the sitting room when the doorbell rang. He got up, went to the door, and said, "Who is there?"
Yunxi said, "Somebody."
Zhan opened the door and looked at him. Yunxi handed him a bag and said, "Give this to Roulan?"
Zhan did not take the bag and said, "He's asleep."
Yunxi said, "Then keep it for him."
Zhan did not agree, just took the bag and closed the door.
The next morning, Zhan came out of his apartment with Roulan, ready for school. Seeing them about to leave, Roulan said, "Momy, are we not waiting for Dr. Uncle today?"
Zhan glared at him and did not say anything until they went out and he hailed a cab. He dropped Roulan at school first, then went to his own school.
Zhan and Vanessa came out of lectures around noon. From a distance, he spotted Yibo with a foreigner walking toward them. When Yibo reached where they were sitting, he did not see them, talking to the foreigner. Zhan kept watching him until they passed, still following him with his eyes.
Vanessa's voice brought him back, suggesting they go eat. He stood up quietly, and they left for their usual cafeteria. Sitting down, he saw Yibo and the foreigner inside.
As they entered, Yibo saw him. Zhan looked away after their eyes met. They sat together with Vanessa, who ordered their food. Zhan only asked for a drink. After they finished eating, Vanessa paid the bill, and they stood up.
Zhan remained seated.
Vanessa said, "Are you not attending the next lecture?"
Zhan said, "I'll be going home soon."
He watched Vanessa and the others leave. Just then, the foreigner with Yibo stood up and left too. Yibo got up, came back to where Zhan was, pulled a chair, sat down, looked at him, and said, "Good afternoon Meilin."
Without looking at him, Zhan said, "Same..."
Yibo touched his head and said, "How's Roulan?"
Zhan said, "He's at school."
Yibo said, "Okay, you are done with lectures today?"
Zhan shook his head, "No, I'm going home."
Yibo said, "Okay, now?"
Only then did Zhan look at him and say, "Soon."
Yibo said, "Alright, if you are ready, let's go, and I'll drop you off."
Zhan said, "I prefer a cab."
Yibo said, "Okay, then." He handed Zhan his phone and said, "Put your number in. I'll bring Roulan's message to you this evening, or I'll give it to Dr. Luo. Mian-Mian told me you live in the same house, and I saw him at our place yesterday."
Zhan did not say anything at first. Then he said, "Message about what?"
"I'll have it delivered to you."
Zhan shook his head, took the phone, entered his number, "You call me instead."
Then he returned the phone, stood up before Yibo, and left the cafeteria. Yibo followed behind him. When they got to Yibo's car, Yibo looked at him, "Let me drop you off, Meilin."
Yibo opened the car door for Zhan and looked at him. Zhan refused to look at him, just standing there as if contemplating whether to get in or not. Slowly, he finally approached the car and got in. Yibo closed the door, then walked around, got into the driver's seat, and started the car.
Once they reached the main road, Yibo said, "Which neighborhood do you live in?"
Without looking at him, Zhan said, "Since Mian-Mian told you we live in the same house as Dr. Luo, I'm sure she didn't forget to give you the address and house number."
Yibo just smiled and continued driving without saying anything. When they reached the street, Yibo looked at him and said, "I only know the street..."
Zhan told him the house number. When Yibo arrived exactly at the house, he parked and looked at Zhan. "Which school does Roulan attend, Meilin?"
Only then did Zhan look at him and say, "I don't think I have to tell you."
Yibo touched his head and said, "It's not a crime, Meilin."
Zhan opened the door, got out, and said, "Thanks for the ride." Yibo just smiled. Zhan went inside, and Yibo watched him go.
Zhan clicked his tongue when he saw that Yunxi's car was not in the garage. He took out his keys from his bag, opened the door, and went inside.
He bathed, changed his clothes, and came out to the living room. He sat down, thinking about what to cook. Then he got up and went to the kitchen. He decided on rice, knowing Roulan loved it very much. While parboiling the rice, he heard Yunxi's car pull into the compound. He quickly went to the living room, reached the door and locked it, then returned to the kitchen and continued what he was doing.
He heard the doorbell ring. He took a deep breath and pushed open the kitchen door. Instead of the bell ringing again, he heard his phone ringing from the living room. He opened the door, went out, picked up the phone, and looked at the screen.
Seeing that Yunxi was calling, he was about to put it down when he answered and put it to his ear without saying anything.
Yunxi said, "Are you sleeping?"
Zhan said, "What about it?"
Yunxi said, "Okay, I saw you left your shoes outside, and come out to greet each other with Tieh."
Zhan gave a look as if Yunxi were in front of him and said, "For what?"
Yunxi said softly, "I'm waiting, Zhan..." Then he hung up.
Zhan was filled with surprise.
Why on earth would he have to greet Tieh?
He clicked his tongue and was about to put down the phone when a text message came in from Yunxi. He opened it and looked at the content: "Please."
That's what Yunxi had sent him. Zhan pouted, then glared at the door. Slowly, he reached the door and opened it. He saw Yunxi standing there with Tieh. Their eyes met.
Tieh said, "Hello, Zhan. How arenyou?"
Zhan forced a smile and said, "Fine, I hope you arrived safely."
Tieh said, "I'm fine. How are you?"
Zhan said softly, "I'm fine, thank you."
Yunxi just looked at him. Tieh said, "Actually, Dr. Luo told me to come and greet you."
Zhan said, "Oh, thank you. Won't you come in?"
Yunxi looked at Tieh and said, "Go in and rest."
Tieh said, "Okay, let me do that." Then she went into Zhan's sitting room. Without looking at her, Zhan closed his door, his face hard. Yunxi just smiled, looking at the door.
Tieh was sitting uncomfortably in the living room when Zhan brought her food on a plate.
Tieh said, "Oh, I've eaten, Zhan. I'm not hungry."
Zhan said, "Please, eat even a little."
Tieh said, "Honestly, I'm not hungry. Just leave it."
Zhan just turned around with the food and went back to the kitchen. When he came out, Tieh stood up and said, "Okay, thank you. Let me go."
Zhan said, "You're welcome." Then she left. He heard her open Yunxi's apartment door and go inside.
Zhan clicked his tongue, sighed, and went to the bedroom. He picked up his phone, remembering that Roulan would soon be finishing school. He left his apartment, locked the door, and headed out. He got a cab that took him to the school.
Roulan hugged him after coming out of the school, looking at him and saying, "Uncle, why didn't Dr. Uncle come?"
Zhan took a deep breath and said, "Don't ask me that again." Then he took Roulan's hand, and they got into the cab. When they arrived home, he paid the cab driver and went inside holding Roulan's hand. He glanced at Yunxi's door, clicked his tongue, opened his own door, and went into the sitting room with Roulan.
He locked the door, went into the bedroom with Roulan, took off his uniform, bathed him, got him ready, dressed him in warm clothes, and had him rest. Then they came out. He served their food on one plate. He ate slowly, watching Roulan.
He heard Roulan's voice say, "Momy, when will Rouxue come back? Mommy told me after one month, and one month has passed, hasn't it?"
Zhan lowered his gaze from Roulan and continued eating his food. "I don't know either. This evening, when Mommy calls, ask her."
Roulan nodded his head and said, "Okay."
Zhan looked at his ringing phone and saw it was a new number calling. He answered and put it to his ear. He heard Yibo's voice say, "Meilin."
Softly, Zhan said, "Yes."
Yibo said, "Come out and receive Roulan's package."
Zhan looked at Roulan and said, "Okay."
Then Yibo hung up. Zhan stood up, looked at Roulan, and said, "Come walk with me, Roulan."
Roulan got up. Zhan took the plate and covered the food. He took a tissue, wiped Roulan's mouth, then got his shoes. Roulan put them on, and they went out. Yibo had parked opposite of the house. Zhan was holding Roulan's hand and crossed over to Yibo's side. From inside his car, Yibo watched them without blinking until they reached where he had parked.
Yibo slowly opened his car door. Roulan saw him and ran to him, overjoyed to see him. Yibo bent down, hugged him, and closed his eyes.
Overcome with happiness, Roulan said, "Daddy, please take me to grandma's place."
Yibo lifted his head, looked at him, kissed his forehead, and said, "Grandma is in China. When you go on vacation, I'll take you."
Roulan said, "Daddy, please take me with you."
Yibo looked at Zhan, who was playing with his ring. Softly, Yibo said, "Thank you for coming out, Zhan."
Only then did Zhan lift his head and look at him. When Zhan said nothing, Yibo opened the back of his car and took out a large bag. Roulan said, "Daddy, Momy gave me the same kind of chocolate you give me and Rouxue..."
Yibo widened his eyes and said, "Really?"
Roulan said, "Yes, Daddy."
Yibo looked at Zhan, nodded his head, and said, "Then, Momy, let's go so I can buy him the same kind of chocolates. We'll be right back."
Zhan did not say anything.
Yibo lowered his voice and said, "Or will you come with us?"
Zhan shook his head and said, "No way."
Then he crossed over and went back inside his place. Yibo watched him go before smiling. He walked around, opened the front seat, seated Roulan, returned to the driver's seat, started the car, and left the street.
Zhan was just at his apartment when Yunxi opened his car door and got out, holding his car keys. Seeing Zhan, he said, "Let me go pick up Roulan. I forgot."
Zhan said curtly, "Don't worry. I picked him up. I didn't forget since he's my son."
Then he went inside and closed his door. Yunxi stood there for over a minute before returning to his own apartment.
The shopping mall Yibo took Roulan to was near his aunt's house. So after finishing the shopping, he went into the house with Roulan. Mian-Mian, who was sitting in the sitting room with Zaan, stood up when she saw him.
She quickly went to the boy, hugged him, and said, "Wow, here's Roulan at our house. Brother Yibo, where did you find him for us? Yesterday, we met his mother in the cafeteria at school."
Mian-Mian looked at Zaan, who was in the living room looking at Roulan with a "wow" expression on her face, and said, "Do you remember the beautiful one we saw in the cafeteria yesterday?"
Zaan widened her eyes and said, "You mean that Zhan I told you looks like Situ?!"
Mian-Mian said, "Yes, that's him."
Surprised, Zaan said, "Don't tell me he gave birth to this boy?"
Mian-Mian laughed and said, "He's his son. There are two of them; one passed away."
Zaan's body went cold. She stood up and said, "God Almighty."
Yibo did not engage with them. He went upstairs after handing Roulan over to Mian-Mian to take to his aunt. Zaan followed them with her eyes and said in a low voice, "But I think the boy looks like your cousin Yibo. I mean, a lot more to his mother though."
Mian-Mian just smiled and did not say anything. The door opened and Tieh entered. She tossed off her shoes, threw her handbag on a chair, and sat down. Zaan, who was looking at her, said, "What's wrong with you? What happened?"
Angrily, Tieh began to speak. "I swear, Zaan, I am tired of Dr. Luo. What he is doing to me is enough. I am just tired."
Mian-Mian sat next to her and said, "Then what? What happened between you two?"
Tieh stood up, irritated. "Because of thoughtlessness, he keeps pairing me with a man, and I don't know what is between them. I really want to know who that man is. The man looks down on me and answers me harshly as if it's mandatory... When he went to China, he was completely dedicated to him. I didn't even know they live in the same house here until recently when he told me.
And what made me interact with that man from the very beginning when we met in China was that he resemble Situ. Besides that, I can't stand seeing him with my fiancé. I would tear him apart. I thought he was married because I saw these children and thought they were his, but now I am totally confused..."
Zaan gently held her hand and said, "Don't think it's what you're thinking, little sister. Maybe they are just friends and neighbors. Don't let the devil get the better of you. And I know you are very patient, Tieh, so what is this matter to you?"
As if she was about to cry, Tieh said, "sis, he barely answers me when I speak to him, as if he's angry with me. And Yunxi keeps making me talk to him. If he's not his boyfriend, why would he act like that?"
Zaan sighed and said, "But he was very free with me when we met in the cafeteria yesterday."
Tieh leaned back in her chair, full of worry, and did not say anything. Zaan felt sorry for her. Mian-Mian just stood there watching them, unable to say anything. Tieh stood up, took her bag, and went upstairs.
Mian-Mian sat down. Zaan looked at her and said, "Mian-Mian, is Zhan Dr. Luo's boyfriend? Don't hide it from me."
Mian-Mian opened her eyes wide and said, "No, honestly, I don't know. I've never even seen them together, not even at school."
At the same time, Yibo came downstairs with Aunt Marry, who was holding Roulan's hand. Yibo was carrying a bag of lotions, children's perfume, and some small items that his aunt had given to Roulan.
Mian-Mian looked at them and said, "Oh, brother Yibo, he's not staying overnight?"
Yibo looked at her and said, "No."
Aunt Marry sat on a chair, looking at Roulan in front of her. "Greet your mommy, did you hear, boy?"
He widened his eyes, just like Yibo's, and said, "Mommy is in China. Aunt, I will greet her for you when i go back."
Aunt Marry smiled, touched his head, and said, "Then tell your Momy I said hello." She looked at Yibo and said, "So when will his Momy come to greet me?"
Yibo gave a small laugh and said, "Aunt, he's not the type to just come over."
Softly, Aunt Marry said, "Don't worry. Heaven will make things right between you, even if it's for the blessing of this boy. And I'm so proud of you to take your mother's advice and take everything slowly, don't ever force anything on Zhan again...let him heal and be comfortable around you himself."
Yibo just smiled and didn't say anything. He took Roulan's hand to leave. "Let me return him to his mother. It's getting late."
Roulan waved at Aunt Marry, who was watching him, copying his father's gesture of waving. Mian-Mian stood up and followed them outside. Once they were outside, she took Roulan's hand, knelt down, adjusted his sweater hood, and said, "Darling, you won't say bye-bye to me?"
He laughed, looked at her, waved, and said, "Bye!" She stood up, smiling, waved back at him, then told Yibo to come back soon, turned, and went inside. Yibo put Roulan in the car, got in, started the engine, and headed Zhan's home with him.
When they were almost there, Yibo turned and looked at Roulan. "Which school do you go to, boy?"
Roulan told him the name of the school. "Did you like the school?"
Roulan nodded his head. Yibo parked right in front of the house, looked at him, and said softly, "Did your mother take you to the school?"
Roulan said, "No, my other uncle took me."
Yibo was silent and didn't say anything. Then he picked up his phone and called Zhan. Zhan was sitting in the sitting room studying when the call came in. He saw the number, recognized it, answered, and put it to his ear.
Yibo said, "Come out and get Roulan."
Zhan hung up, stood up, went into the bedroom, put on his Head warm, and came out. He walked as if he was reluctant, until he reached where Yibo's car was. Yibo got out of the car, walked around, opened Roulan's door, and helped him out.
Zhan rushed over and took his son's hand without looking at Yibo. "See you some other time."
Yibo grabbed his shirt and looked at him. Zhan turned, and their eyes met; his heart thuds, and he quickly bowed his head.
Yibo said in a low voice, "See you some other time? Aren't you going to take his package?"
Zhan didn't say anything. Yibo let him go, opened the back of the car, took out a large bag, then took the bag that Aunt Marry had given Roulan, put it inside the bag from the shopping trip, combined them all in one place, and handed it to him.
Zhan took it.
Yibo said, "You can manage."
Zhan didn't say anything. He took Roulan's hand and started walking. Yibo watched them. Roulan turned and waved at him. Yibo smiled and slowly waved back until they went inside.
:
:
The bag that Yibo gave Zhan for Roulan contained large sweaters and head warmers, plus four different outfits. He opened one bag and saw chocolates, biscuits, sweets, and other children's snacks. He opened the bag that Aunt Marry had given him and saw expensive lotions and perfume. He clicked his tongue, stood up, and took the items inside.
Only after placing everything where it belonged in the bedroom did he come out to the living room with the bag of chocolates. He stopped suddenly, seeing Yunxi sitting there. He scanned the living room and saw that Roulan was not there.
Yunxi stood up and looked at him.
Zhan adjusted the bag in his hand and turned quickly to go back inside. Yunxi said, "Zhan."
Zhan stopped but refused to turn around. He only saw Yunxi in front of him, looking at him. He quickly turned his back to him. Softly, Yunxi said, "Tell me, what have I done to you?"
Zhan pouted and said, "Well, have I said anything to you?"
Yunxi smiled slightly. "Did you change toward me because of Yibo, Zhan?"
Zhan was silent, not knowing what to say to him. His body went cold for a moment. Sensing that Yunxi also wasn't saying anything, Zhan turned slowly and looked at him. Tears filled his eyes. "Why would I change toward you because of Yibo?"
Quietly, Yunxi said, "I don't know either, Zhan."
Tears spilled from Zhan's eyes. "Or maybe you changed toward me because of your girlfriend."
Saying this, he burst into tears. Yunxi stared at him, his own body going cold. With a certain expression on his face, he said, "Why? Why would I change because of Tieh?"
Still glaring at him through tears, Zhan said, "Then why would I change because of Yibo?"
Yunxi closed his eyes and then slowly opened them, looking at him. He didn't know what to say. He felt his own heart feel Zhan's crying. He opened his arms and said in a soft voice, "Can... I console you?"
Zhan shrugged his shoulder and turned his back to him. Yunxi gently closed his eyes and hugged him.
In his softest voice, he said, "You know I love you, Zhan, and... I want you to be the mother of my kids. I want to marry you, Zhan. But you met me with Tieh. I was with her before you. I can't betray her because of you. Tieh is very easygoing. She doesn't have a problem, and I don't want to betray her... Besides, she is different in my heart, and so are you. Give me a chance to show you how much I love you, please, Zhan."
Zhan couldn't say anything. All his body went cold. When Yunxi heard him fall silent, he slowly turned him around and looked at him. Zhan wouldn't let their eyes meet. He went and sat down on the floor.
Yunxi knelt in front of him, looking at him, and said in a low voice, "Say something, please, Zhan... I said I want to marry you, and you're not saying anything."
Zhan put his head on his knees, feeling tears come to his eyes. In a trembling voice, he said, "But Attorney Yang-Yang..." Then he burst into tears again.
Yunxi lifted his head, his face falling. He could barely say, "What about him, Zhan?"
Zhan said, "He proposed before you..."
Yunxi was silent, looking at him without blinking. Softly, Zhan continued, "He said he wants to marry me, and you know I can't tell him no, Doctor. Marriage isn't enough to repay what he has done for me in life. He deserves more than that from me. Though I know that six years ago, I will confess, I was in love with him. But now, I only respect him as someone who brought light to my life after my Lord. Then he came back and said he wants to marry me. I cannot say I don't love Yang-Yang. I cannot say I won't marry him. But I am afraid of his wife."
Yunxi did not say anything. You could see that his body had gone very cold. He stood up slowly after a few seconds and said, "Okay, then, Zhan. May God make this for the best. Wishing you all the best."
Then he turned to leave. Zhan stood up quickly, tears streaming down his face. "But I know I love you so much, Doctor. After Yang-Yang, you are the next in my life. If not for you, I wouldn't know what would have become of me a few months ago. You made me lively once more in life. Maybe..."
Yunxi reached the doorway, turned, looked at him, and interrupted him. "Forget I did that to you, Zhan." Then he left.
Zhan followed him with his eyes, his heart pounding.
💚💙❤🖤