Yibo said nothing. He started the car slowly and drove out of the school grounds. The ride to Zhan's home passed in complete silence.
After parking, he turned to look at Zhan. Zhan opened the door and stepped out. "Thank you."
"Give Roulan my regards," Yibo said softly.
Without turning back, Zhan replied, "Okay."
Yibo watched him until he disappeared inside the building. A faint smile crossed his lips before he started the engine again and drove away.
The moment Zhan entered the compound, his eyes landed on Yunxi's car, and his mood instantly darkened. He climbed the stairs to his apartment, unlocked the door, and stepped inside quietly.
After taking a shower, he lay down in the living room, lost in thought.
The sound of the front door opening made him sit up immediately. Roulan rushed in and threw himself into his arms.
"Momy, we got back before you!"
Zhan hugged him tightly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Did you eat?"
Roulan nodded. "Uncle gave me food."
"Alright, let's get you changed."
Zhan carried him to the bedroom, gave him a bath, dressed him in warm clothes and a sweater, then left him to finish his assignment while he went to prepare dinner.
In the kitchen, while peeling potatoes, Zhan sensed someone outside. He glanced through the window and saw Yunxi seated outside with a phone pressed to his ear. Their eyes met for only a second before Zhan quickly looked away and continued working, a cold feeling spreading through him.
A few minutes later, after cleaning up the kitchen, he returned to the bedroom and found Roulan asleep on the carpet. Carefully, he lifted him onto the bed, gathered his books, checked that his assignment was finished, and packed everything neatly into his bag.
Just as he was about to leave, his phone lit up on the bed.
He picked it up and saw a bank alert for one hundred and fifty thousand. Quietly, he set the phone back down and went into the bathroom.
Around eight o'clock, Zhan stepped into the living room wearing a long sweater over his clothes. He had no appetite at all. Still, he went into the kitchen, served himself some food, and sat down at the table.
After only a few bites, he pushed the plate away and swallowed hard.
A moment later, he stood up again, returned to the kitchen, washed a food warmer, filled it with food, sealed it, and carried it out.
He stood motionless in the living room for several minutes before finally walking toward the door, his expression heavy.
Softly, he rang Yunxi's doorbell.
Cold air crept through him as he waited.
When there was no answer, he rang again.
A few moments later, the door opened.
Zhan lowered his head immediately, avoiding Yunxi's eyes.
Without a word, Yunxi stepped aside and walked back into the apartment. Zhan followed quietly behind him, shut the door, then walked to the center of the living room. Kneeling down, he placed the food warmer on the floor and greeted softly.
"Good evening."
Yunxi sat down on the chair nearby.
"Evening. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"How were your lectures today?"
Zhan stayed silent, standing awkwardly in place.
"Aren't you going to sit down?" Yunxi asked.
Slowly, Zhan rose to his feet. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Alright," Yunxi replied calmly. "Sleep well. Tonight's cold will be harsh. Make sure Roulan wears a sweater, and lock all the windows."
"Okay."
Zhan turned toward the door.
"And..."
He paused without looking back.
"Thanks for the food."
Zhan said nothing. He simply left and closed the door behind him.
Back inside his apartment, he carried his untouched food back to the kitchen. After cleaning up, he switched off the living room lights and went into the bedroom.
He freshened up, turned off the bedroom light, and slipped beneath the duvet beside Roulan.
He had barely begun to drift asleep when the vibration of his phone woke him.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and picked it up.
He already knew it would be the Attorney calling at this hour.
He answered softly and placed the phone against his ear.
"Meiqin..."
"Yes. How are you?"
"I'm fine. How is my boy?"
"He's asleep."
"That's good. And you? You're still awake?"
"I just lay down. How is little Meiqin?"
"She's with her mother."
Zhan lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry I didn't call earlier. I only just saw the message. Thank you very much. We're truly grateful."
A gentle chuckle came from the other end. "You don't need to thank me for that, Meiqin."
Zhan smiled faintly without replying.
"I think I'll come in three days instead of next week."
"Oh... then have a safe trip."
"Thank you. I recently visited your mother as well."
Zhan blinked. "Really?"
"Yes. Before I fly to the UK, I'll stop by your uncle town first."
Zhan fell silent again.
"Are you still there?" the Attorney asked.
"Yes, I'm listening."
"Then why did you suddenly go quiet?"
Softly, Zhan said, "Isn't it too soon, Attorney?"
"It's not too soon, Meiqin. I want everything settled within two months. Don't you feel even a little pity for me?"
A chill ran through Zhan's body.
"But... Attorney, I'm afraid of Meiqin's mother. Please make sure she truly agrees to everything. I'm worried."
The man laughed quietly. "You don't need to worry about Zizi. She already knows everything. You only think she doesn't. Besides, you won't even be living under the same roof."
Even then, Zhan couldn't shake the uneasy feeling pressing against his chest.
"Alright then," he whispered. "I hope everything goes well."
"It will," the Attorney replied warmly. "Now get some rest."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Sleep well, Meiqin."
A faint smile touched Zhan's lips. "Thank you."
The call ended.
Zhan placed the phone aside, lay back down beside Roulan, and pulled the duvet over his head.
***
The next morning, Zhan did not have lectures, but because of Roulan, he had to get up in the cold to prepare him. He felt sorry for his little boy because the cold was no joke. He got him ready, dressed him in a large sweater and a head warmer, made him tea, and fried him an egg, knowing he didn't eat bread.
Zhan was sitting in the living room waiting for him to finish when the doorbell rang. He looked at the clock before standing up and reaching the door. He opened it. Yunxi was standing there, ready to leave. He was dressed in cold-weather clothes.
He looked at Zhan gently. "Good morning."
Zhan couldn't look at him, feeling Yunxi's gaze on him. He heard Yunxi say, "Let me drop Roulan at school since you don't have lectures today."
Zhan said, "Okay." Then he went back into the sitting room. Yunxi stood there waiting until Roulan finished. Zhan took Roulan's lunchbox and handed it to him. Roulan headed to the door, waving at Zhan. When he got outside, Yunxi took his hand and walked him to the car. Zhan stood at the doorway watching them until they left the compound.
***
On Thursday evening, Zhan was in the living ironing Roulan's clothes and uniforms. Roulan was in the bedroom on the phone with his mother. Zhan stood up after turning off the iron when he heard the doorbell ring. He reached the door and opened it. He saw Yunxi standing there.
Yunxi touched his head without looking at him. "I will be traveling to China today, Zhan."
Zhan was silent, looking at him.
Yunxi said, "You take care of the little boy."
Zhan said, "Okay. May God protect your journey."
Yunxi said, "Thanks." He was about to enter his apartment when Zhan came out gently.
"Doctor..."
Yunxi stopped, turned around, and looked at him. Zhan couldn't speak. In a low voice, Yunxi said, "I'm all ears, Zhan."
Feeling tears gathering in his eyes, Zhan simply turned and went back inside. When Yunxi left, he didn't even tell Zhan he was leaving; he just went.
From the time Zhan woke up early in the morning, he didn't know what was bothering him. He felt completely unwell. He went back to lie down, since it was Friday. He stayed lying down until nearly eight o'clock. Then he got up, remembering that the Attorney's flight would land soon. He bathed, woke Roulan, brushed his teeth, bathed him, and they both came out.
He got Roulan ready, then went to the bathroom to bathe himself. Around ten o'clock, he was standing in the kitchen thinking about what to cook for the Attorney when Roulan brought him his ringing phone. He took it, put it to his ear, and greeted.
The Attorney said, "Did you wake up safely, Meiqin?"
Zhan said, "I'm fine. So you've already landed?"
The man said, "Sure, since nine o'clock."
Zhan said, "So where did you land?"
Je smiled "Don't you know I have an apartment here?"
Zhan bowed his head. "I never knew."
"Now you know."
Zhan just smiled.
"Where is Roulan?"
Zhan looked at the doorway and saw him pass by. "He's in the living room. Attorney, sorry for asking... what should I cook for you? I don't know what you like most"
No, don't worry, dear. I already had breakfast."
Zhan was silent at what he said. Then he said, "What about lunch?"
"Just tea, maybe with cake."
Zhan widened his eyes. "Tea and cake?"
"Yes, sure."
Zhan smiled. "Okay, then. When will you come?"
"After I finish what I'm doing, maybe in the afternoon."
Zhan said, "Okay, may God bring you safely."
"Amen. Bye, dear."
Then he hung up.
Zhan left the kitchen, as he and Roulan had already had breakfast.
:
:
At one o'clock, Zhan got ready and went out with Roulan to do some shopping. As they came out of the shopping mall, his phone in his bag began to ring. He put down the items in his hand, opened his bag, and took out the phone. He saw Yibo's number. He hesitated for a moment before answering. Yibo greeted him. Zhan answered but was silent.
Yibo said, "How are you, Meilin?"
Zhan said, "I'm fine."
"How is Roulan?"
"He is fine."
"Wonderful."
Zhan was silent, not saying anything.
After a few seconds, Yibo said, "I am leaving for China later. Do you need anything?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, do you need anything from China?"
Zhan said, "Nothing."
Gently, Yibo said, "Okay. Can I take Roulan with me, please?"
Zhan gave a look as if Yibo were in front of him. "Beg your pardon?"
Yibo smiled slightly before saying, "We will return on Monday, Meilin. I am going to your neighbor's wedding tomorrow. So we will be back Monday morning."
Zhan was silent, trying to comprehend what Yibo had just told him.
Gently, Yibo said, "Hello, are you there, Meilin?"
Zhan said firmly, "Which neighbor of mine?"
As if he wasn't going to tell him anything, Yibo then said, "Dr. Yunxi."
⏭ ⏭
Zhan was holding Roulan's hand as they came outside. From a distance, Yibo, who was sitting in his car, watched him. When they reached the car, Yibo got out. Even without being told, he knew Zhan had been crying, and that he was completely subdued.
Yibo bent down, looked at Roulan, and said gently, "How are you?"
Roulan smiled at him. "Fine. Good afternoon, Daddy."
Yibo touched his own head, stood up, looked at Zhan, and said, "Thank you, Meilin."
Zhan handed him Roulan's bag. Yibo took it, put it in the back of the car, then held Roulan's hand, walked him around, and placed him in the front seat. He returned, opened the driver's door, and got in. Only then did Zhan turn and go back inside, without even saying goodbye to his own son.
Deep in his heart, he felt hatred for Yunxi now. He felt he didn't even want to see him again in his life. He went to the bedroom and lay down. A moment later, he got up quickly, remembering that Yang-Yang said he would come in the afternoon. He went out to the kitchen to prepare Lipton tea for him. He added plenty of spices.
He cleaned the house again, poured the Lipton tea into a flask, and heard his phone ringing. He came out to the living room, picked up the phone, answered it, and put it to his ear.
"How are you, Attorney?"
The man said, "I'm fine. Send me the address, Meiqin."
Zhan said, "Okay."
He hung up and sent the street and house number via text message. He put down the phone and continued what he was doing.
A few minutes later, Yang-Yang called and said he was outside. Zhan put on his headscarf and went out. He stood and saw him leaning against his car, dressed in a suit, which he noticed Yang-Yang preferred. When Zhan got close to him, his eyes were on the suit, just as Yang-Yang was looking at him.
Yang-Yang gave his beautiful smile. "You become more beautiful whenever you come to the UK."
Zhan smiled and bowed his head. Gently, he said, "Welcome."
Yang-Yang said, "Thank you. Are you the only one in this big house?"
Zhan shook his head, smiling. "No, I'm not alone. Let's go inside, Attorney."
Yang-Yang said, "Do I have to, Meiqin?"
Zhan said, "Why not?"
Then he turned and started walking. Yang-Yang watched him before following behind. As he entered the compound and saw the white chairs and table in the corner of Zhan's flat under a shade, he said, "That's all. I prefer staying outside."
Then he headed there and sat down.
Zhan stood looking at him, frowning. "Attorney, let's go inside. Can't you see there's cold out here?"
Yang-Yang said, "You're the one who feels the cold. Just get me my tea, then you can go inside since you feel cold."
Zhan smiled, went inside, and came back with a tray carrying a small flask and a plate of cake. He set it down for him, pulled a chair, sat down, and looked at him. "But why don't you want to go inside, Attorney?"
Yang-Yang opened the plate, took a piece of cake, and said, "What do you mean?"
Zhan widened his eyes. "But is there anything wrong with going inside?"
Yang-Yang was silent, looking at him. Then Zhan widened his eyes quickly. "Oh, yes, you're right, Attorney."
Then he smiled again. Yang-Yang smiled too and brought the cake to his mouth.
Gently, Zhan said, "But... seven years back..." Then he fell silent again.
Yang-Yang looked at him before saying, "Don't forget you were sick and pregnant then. I had no choice..."
Zhan was silent, gently looking at him. Yang-Yang opened his eyes wide. "Wait... where is Roulan?"
Zhan lowered his gaze from him. In a gentle voice, he said, "He went to China with Yibo."
Surprised, Yang-Yang said, "Which Yibo?"
Zhan didn't say anything for a few seconds before finally saying, "Just Yibo."
Yang-Yang put down the remaining cake in his hand. "So you see him often?"
Zhan nodded his head. Yang-Yang couldn't say anything else. After a moment, he said gently, "So you meet him sometimes?"
Zhan lowered his gaze from him. "Sometimes at school."
Yang-Yang didn't say anything else. He pulled out his ringing phone, answered it, and put it to his ear. Zhan watched him until he finished the call, then Zhan bowed his head.
Yang-Yang put down his phone and said in a very low tone, "Meiqin?"
Gently, Zhan also said, "Yes."
Yang-Yang said, "I don't want to deprive you of anything you wish for yourself. Be frank, please, Meiqin. Tell me the truth. Do you want to go back to the father of your child?"
Zhan looked at him with a certain expression. Gathering his courage, he said, "I don't understand, Attorney."
Yang-Yang lifted his head, looking into Zhan's eyes. "I mean, do you have the intention of going back to Yibo to marry him?"
Zhan burst into tears before him. "Anyone can say this, but not you, Attorney. You are the one who reminds me of the kind of difficult life I suffered because of Yibo. You witnessed everything. Or rather, we suffered the hardship together, Attorney, because all that time, you were by my side. Yibo raped me without mercy. Even today, the memory is still very fresh in my mind, the scene before my eyes. After that happened, he changed toward me, stopped returning my greetings, stopped showing up wherever I was. In the end, he sent me away without thinking twice, with a large sum of money, knowing I had no one. He didn't think about whether I would find my way home or not."
He was crying heavily. Yang-Yang leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and couldn't say anything.
Zhan continued crying. "Even today, I have not seen any proof that will convince me that Yibo did not do what he did to me intentionally. I have not seen proof that I can accept that his raping me was unintentional. Fine... his mother said it was a setup. Did she have any choice? She had to protect her son. Has there ever been a setup with rape?"
He paused, then continued. "Because of my late boy, I have been tolerating Yibo, to the point that I feel I couldn't even insult him, thanks to the children between us. Recently, I dreamed of my little Rouxue telling me to forgive his father. So why would I not forgive him? I know he hurt me, ruined my life, but he gave me happiness at the same time... my boys."
He put his head on the table, crying heavily. Yang-Yang opened his eyes and looked at him, full of pity. In a gentle voice, he said, "I'm sorry, Meiqin. You misunderstood me. I know your pain, but..."
Zhan lifted his head, tears streaming down his face. "But what?"
Yang-Yang lowered his voice pleadingly. "I am sorry, please."
Zhan refused to say anything.
Yang-Yang said, "Do you forgive me?"
Gently, Zhan nodded at him. Yang-Yang closed his eyes and opened them. "Thank you, dear. Do you have any plans for our wedding?"
Zhan kept twisting his ring, not saying anything. His mind had completely drifted to Yunxi. Gently, Yang-Yang said, "You've gone silent."
Zhan felt a sudden anger at himself for who had come into his mind. He clicked his tongue without realizing it.
Yang-Yang, who was watching him, smiled. "Who are you thinking about now?"
Zhan quickly looked at him and widened his eyes. "Please forgive me, Attorney. Honestly, I wasn't thinking about you. I didn't know..."
Yang-Yang interrupted him. "I know you weren't thinking about me, Meiqin. I can see you are lost in your thoughts. Tell me what you are thinking about."
Zhan shook his head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing."
Yang-Yang smiled, touching his head. "Okay, then." He opened the flask.
Zhan stood up quickly. "Let me pour for you." Then he hurried to open it and poured into the upside-down cup. He looked at Yang-Yang and saw that he was just looking at him too. Zhan lowered his head to the ground.
Gently, he said, "Should I add milk for you?"
Yang-Yang shook his head. "No, I prefer it black."
Zhan returned to his seat, smiling. "Okay. What will you take for dinner?"
Yang-Yang opened his eyes slightly after taking the Lipton tea. "Sometimes at night, I drink tea with potatoes and egg."
Zhan bowed his head. "Okay. And in the morning?"
Yang-Yang smiled. "Tea and bread."
Zhan looked at him in surprise. "So, Attorney, you don't eat rice or any other food?"
Yang-Yang said, "I eat when I find it."
Zhan was silent and didn't say anything else. He suddenly felt sorry for him, because even though Yang-Yang hadn't said it directly, Zhan understood that his wife didn't cook.
Zhan smiled slightly. "Okay, I will make you some rice this evening. Come back and get it."
Yang-Yang widened his eyes. "No, women who don't like cooking difficult meals, don't stress yourself, dear. I will take my tea as usual."
Zhan said, "No, not every woman dislikes cooking. I am exceptional, since I'm not a woman. Whatever you want, I will cook for you this evening."
Yang-Yang smiled widely. "Okay, thank you, Meiqin."
Around five o'clock, Yang-Yang left the house. He was so preoccupied that he didn't even perform his afternoon prayer. Zhan walked him to his car and only went back inside after he had driven off. Just as he had promised, before sunset, Zhan finished making him rice and a healthy vegetable soup. He put it in a warmer.
Seeing that Yang-Yang hadn't called him by seven o'clock, Zhan called him instead. After Yang-Yang answered, Zhan said gently, "Attorney, you didn't come back to get your food."
Yang-Yang lowered his voice. "I really don't want to stress you, dear. I understand that making food is difficult..."
Zhan interrupted him. "Just come and get it. I'm done. Difficulty is only for tje people who don't know how to cook."
Yang-Yang laughed. "Oh, really?"
Zhan said, "Yes. I finished long ago. Please come and get it."
Gently, Yang-Yang said, "Okay, I'm on my way, Meiqin. I am proud of you."
Zhan just smiled and hung up. Within ten minutes, Yang-Yang came to pick up the food, blessing Zhan repeatedly, and then left.
***
On Saturday afternoon, Yang-Yang came to take Zhan out to tour the city. Despite the cold weather, the moment was just wow. Zhan knew that Yang-Yang loved him more than he thought, but he didn't know why he couldn't calm his own heart.
Yang-Yang really made his day on Saturday. He left him with no worries and returned him home. Even the missing of Roulan that Zhan felt was completely gone now.
On Sunday morning, as soon as Zhan woke up, he went into the kitchen to cook rice for Yang-Yang. At ten o'clock, he called him.
After Yang-Yang answered, hearing his voice, Zhan said gently, "Are you still sleeping, Attorney?"
Yang-Yang said, "No, I'm awake now."
Zhan said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you weren't up. Give me your address so I can bring you breakfast."
Yang-Yang sat up from where he was lying on the bed. "No, don't put yourself through the trouble. I'll get ready now and come out."
Zhan said, "Okay. I'm sorry."
Yang-Yang widened his eyes. "Sorry for what, dear?"
Zhan smiled and hung up. He went to the bedroom, entered the bathroom, bathed, came out, and dressed in simple clothes. He sat in front of the mirror fixing his hair, then clicked his tongue to himself. Mian-Mian and the others had all gone to China for the wedding. He clicked his tongue in his heart and thought.
"Do I have to care?" He pouted, stood up, tied his hair, put on a sweater and a head warmer, returned to the sitting room, and sat down.
💚💙❤🖤