Zhan was lying in his bedroom, phone to his ear, listening to his Mommy speak. After a moment, he pouted and said, "Mommy, I did told him to choose. I don't have a choice..."
On the other end, his mother smiled. "You know what your problem is, Zhan?"
Zhan gently shook his head as if seeing her. His mother said, "You refuse to calm your heart to know what's best for you. Sure, I know you like Yunxi, but he is married, you know that. Why does your heart keep deceiving you even now?"
Zhan listened to his mother in surprise. Then he said, "Mommy, how did you know he is married?"
His mother said, "He came to the house on Saturday. He told me about his wedding."
Zhan felt tears coming to his eyes. He couldn't say anything. His mother said, "You were the one who told him it's the Attorney... so why don't you calm your heart with the Attorney? It's not as if Yunxi isn't good, but I think Attorney Yang-Yang is best for you. And Yunxi, being married now, cannot begin to think of marrying you anyway. Zhan, as a mother, I am telling you: calm your heart and give the Attorney a chance. You won't regret it. And if you still feel Yunxi in your heart and wanted to be his mistress, then prepare the words you will say to the Attorney, but count me out. Don't even show him that I know anything."
Tears streamed down Zhan's face. He said gently, "I never said I don't accept the Attorney, Mommy. His wife is my greatest fear, Mummy. Even at the hospital, when Rouxue was unwell, I didn't tell you: she called and warned me to stay away from her husband."
Xixue clicked her tongue. "Well, truly, Zhan, it seems he have done something to provoke her. Are you going to fear a rival even before you enter the house? A rival, Zhan? Don't forget you'll be the legal patner and her the mistress."
Zhan pouted. "Mommy, I'm not afraid of her. I just don't want trouble. I don't want anything that will make me sad."
His mother said, "Well, you won't be living in the same house."
Zhan was silent and didn't say anything. Calmly, his mother said, "Pray on it, son. May Heaven guide you to the best choice."
Gently, Zhan said, "Amen."
His mother said, "And one more thing, Zhan. If you think that just because Attorney Yang-Yang helped you in life you want to marry him to pay him back, honestly, you are making a mistake, and you are wronging him and yourself if that is why you agree to marry him."
Tears streamed down Zhan's face heavily; his entire body went cold. Gathering his courage, he said, "Mommy, it's not like that."
His mother said, "Are you sure, Zhan?"
He nodded with difficulty. "Yes."
His mother said, "Then I'm happy to hear that. Just keep praying. And make sure you call him now and tell him which one you prefer from the boxes."
Zhan wiped his eyes and lowered his voice. "The one you said is best, right?"
His mother said, "Yes."
He said, "Then let me call him now. Thank you, my Mommy."
His mother said, "You're welcome, dear. Has Roulan fallen asleep?"
Zhan nodded. "Yes, he has, but it seems like he is getting a cold, Mommy. His voice is even crackly."
His mother said, "You know about that. Lest I forget, I know your nature, Zhan. Between you and Yunxi's wife, have some decency. Don't use the fact that you like her husband to keep causing her trouble. I know you are not that thoughtless."
Zhan pouted. "Mommy, we are almost on vacation. I'm coming back home. What do I care about them?"
His mother said, "Yunxi is not someone you should cast aside, though you haven't known each other long. He is always there for you. And even though he knows who you are, he has shown that he loves you and your children. I am reminding you of all this because I see that you are quick to forget kindness. Look at Yibo's mother. Even if you didn't have anything serious with Yibo, you wouldn't wish her harm either."
Zhan's body went very cold.
His mother said, "See you in the morning."
Then she hung up.
Zhan lay his head on the bed. Then he opened his eyes gently and called the Attorney. After they greeted, he said "Attorney, have you started sleeping?"
The Attorney said, "No, I'm working on something. How are you?"
Zhan said, "I'm fine. I now have a choice, my Attorney."
The Attorney opened his eyes slightly. "Really?"
Zhan smiled. "Sure."
"Then which is your choice?"
Zhan bowed his head. "Go on WhatsApp, and I'll show you now."
"Okay, then."
Zhan hung up. After showing him the box he wanted, he texted him again goodnight. Then he lay down, and sleep immediately took him.
***
The next morning, Zhan was putting on Roulan's school shoes when the doorbell rang. He looked at the door before standing up, took Roulan's bag and put it on his back, took his lunchbox, held his hand, and headed to the door. He opened it.
Yunxi was standing at the doorstep.
He refuse to look at Zhan. He looked at Roulan with his beautiful smile and said, "How are you, son?"
Roulan said, "Good morning, Uncle."
Yunxi bent down, took his hand, and said, "The morning isn't good, son. Cold everywhere..."
Roulan laughed, showing his white teeth. Yunxi smiled, looking at the beautiful boy, stood up with him, and straightened his sweater. Still not looking at Zhan, who had taken a deep breath, Yunxi said, "Please, do you use salt?"
Zhan looked at him. "What is it?"
Only then did Yunxi look at him. "Salt!?."
Zhan lowered his gaze from him and clicked his tongue as if he wouldn't say anything, then said, "I don't know. Let me check."
Then he turned and went back inside.
Roulan said, "Uncle, that aunt is inside?."
Yunxi touched his head, looking at him. "She is inside."
Roulan said, "Yes, today she said she would give me a puzzle like Fan's..."
Yunxi said, "She is sleeping now. Wait until you come back from school, and she will give it to you."
Roulan said, "Okay. Can I tell her good morning now so she will remember my puzzle?"
Yunxi bent down, looking at him gently. "No, she is sleeping, son. When she wakes up, I will remind her for you."
Roulan said, "Okay, thanks."
Zhan returned holding a container of salt and handed it to him. Yunxi took it. "Thanks. I will bring back the remaining now."
As if waiting for that, Zhan said, "No, I gave it to her."
Yunxi looked at him quickly. "No, I will use it."
Zhan gave him a look. "Did you hear me mention a name?"
Yunxi lowered his gaze from Zhan. He turned to go back inside, then turned around quickly. "I am coming to drop him at school."
Zhan said, "I will take him now. Don't worry, go take care of your wife ."
Yunxi looked at him carefully. "I insist, Zhan."
Then he turned and went inside. Zhan stood outside for five minutes, then turned and went back to the living room and sat down. Roulan followed behind him. Zhan got up from the sitting room; his mood had completely changed.
He looked at Roulan. "Wait for him here."
Then he went to the bedroom and lay down. He didn't know why he felt like crying. He buried his face in the pillow, trying hard not to cry. He was like that for over ten minutes when the bedroom door opened.
Roulan entered. "Momy, Uncle says I should call you."
Zhan sat up gently, closed his eyes, feeling his heart hurting. He looked at the clock and saw it was past eight. With difficulty, he stood up and followed behind Roulan. He found Yunxi standing in the living room.
Yunxi refuse to look at where he was.
Zhan stood looking at him.
Yunxi took Roulan's hand. "Please, Zhan, I need hot water, or rather Lipton tea, before I return."
Then he left with Roulan, who was waving at Zhan, and closed the door. Zhan turned and went back to the bedroom and lay down again.
After about twenty minutes, the doorbell rang. He didn't get up from where he was lying. Hearing it ring again, he forced himself, gathered his courage, stood up, and went out. He opened the door and looked at Yunxi.
He handed him a bag. "Roulan's medicine. I see he has a cold."
Zhan took it without looking at him. "Thanks."
Then he turned to leave. Yunxi said, "Zhan, what about the Lipton tea?"
Zhan refused to turn around. "I don't have Lipton tea." Then he closed the door. He went to the bedroom, fell onto the bed, and cried his fill, as if he had received news of a death. He himself didn't know why he was crying. He lay for over thirty minutes, then stood up gently, his body weak.
Finally, he came out to the living room and went into the kitchen, turned on the gas, put on water, added Lipton tea and spices, then came back to the living room and sat down. He sat in there until he heard the water boiling. He stood up gently, went into the kitchen, poured the entire Lipton tea into a flask and went out.
He pressed Yunxi doorbell and stood there, and after a moment, Yunxi opened the door. Zhan handed him the flask without looking at him. "I just made it."
He took it gently. "Thanks, Zhan."
Zhan didn't say anything. He turned and went back to his apartment.
⏭ ⏭
Around twelve o'clock, Zhan left the house, even though he had lectures at ten. He came out early to pick up Roulan from school, only to find that Yunxi had already come to pick him up. He went home, bathed, rested, and kept waiting to see Roulan come in, but he didn't come. All day, he didn't eat anything good, and he didn't feel hungry at all.
Gently, he picked up his phone to call the Attorney to see if he had arrived home safely. He didn't answer the first time, so he called again.
Meanwhile, the Yang-Yang was sitting in the Living room. Little Meiqin was on his body, making noise with her mumblings. Zizi, meanwhile, was kneeling before him, serving him the pasta she had cooked, knowing it was the day he would return. He just looked at the pasta because he was not a fan of it, and she knew very well he didn't eat it.
He shook his head and lifted his gaze from the food. Zizi put down the serving spoon when she saw an indication that his phone, which was on charge, was ringing. She stood up and went to where the phone was. When she reached it, she picked it up and looked at the screen.
"Meiqin" .... that's the name she saw on the screen. She stared, her heart pounding. She answered the call before it could hang up, put it to her ear, and remained silent.
Zhan heard the phone picked up, but no one said anything. He remained silent too because it was unusual for the owner of the phone. And he could hear little Meiqin's voice in the background. As if on cue, Yang-Yang lifted his head and saw Zizi standing there, his phone to her ear, her face twisted.
He set Meiqin down on the chair and stood up quickly. "What are you doing, Zizi?"
Without meaning to, Zhan hung up the phone, clicked his tongue, and lay down.
Zizi glare at him. "So you are really planning to get married, without any fear of Heaven, or of our daughter?"
He snatched his phone from her hand, giving her a cold glare. "Don't you ever dare pick up my call again, madam."
Then he left the living room and went upstairs. Zizi sat on the edge of the chair. A moment later, tears of frustration began to stream down her face. If only she had known, she would have simply run to a room with the phone, answered the call, and houl an insult to the wretch calling him. So who is this Meiqin? Only now did she feel a strong desire to know who she was.
She looked at her daughter, who was sitting watching TV. A moment later, the memory of how she had given birth to her came back to her. On the day of her naming, after he had named her after his own mothr, she had fought with him endlessly because she wanted to name her Yun'er. He said he didn't know what that meant, only Meiqin. When she asked him why, he said it was the name of a friend who was important in his life and for whom he had strong feelings, so he would name his daughter that...
Zizi stood up quickly, her heart pounding. Could this be the same person calling him now? She had hated whoever this Meiqin was from that moment. That's why even now, she refused to call her daughter by the name Meiqin. Behind his back, she had always called her Yun'er.
She took her phone, went into a guess room and locked the door, she began searching for Dr. Yun's number. She knew that no matter what, she wouldn't fail to find out who Meiqin was. After two rings, he answered. After greeting, he teased her, saying she had made his friend forget him completely.
She sat on the edge of the bed. "Doctor, I called to ask you something, please..."
Dr. Yun said, "Okay, I'm listening."
She said, "Yes, I know you know. Honestly, your friend has exhausted me with this Meiqin. I have tried everything to get him to tell me who she is, and he refuses. He even said that if I find out who she is, he will give me a car as a gift. Well, no matter how much I think, I can't figure out who she is. I mostly think she is just a friend he has feelings for. So I called you to give me the answer. My car is old, and I want a new one. And you know the Attorney never breaks a promise. Please, Doctor, help me."
Yun laughed heartily. "Meiqin?"
Her face fell heavily. "Yes, Doctor..."
He said, "He knows you will never find out who he is. And truly, there is no car he intends to give you, because he knows even if you search for years, you won't find out who he is. It's not even possible. And as for me, if I tell you and you tell him, he will suspect I told you, because none of his friends know him except me..."
Zizi said, "Oh, Doctor, he himself knows he made a promise and won't break it. My concern is the car. Please tell me. He doesn't know I have your number; he won't suspect anything."
Yun smiled. "Okay, I will tell you, as long as you want a new car."
She listened closely. "Yes, thank you so much, Doctor."
Then Dr. Yun began to tell her the story of Zhan, point by point, hiding nothing, all the way to the last day when Yang-Yang mother separated them. Completely, bitterness began to break over Zizi; she felt her insides churn. She heard Yun say, "Hello."
Gathering her courage, she laughed. "Goodness, what power Heaven has. Thank you, Doctor. May Heaven reward you with good. May Heaven bless you with Ai. A new car must definitely be given."
Then she said goodbye and hung up, just as the door to the room was opened before he could even enter. She quickly hid her phone. Yang-Yang entered, looking at her. "The files I left on the dining table before I traveled. Where did you put them for me?"
Zizi was silent, propping up her chin and looking at him, and then she smiled.
Yang-Yang took a deep breath. "I'm talking to you, Zizi."
She clicked her tongue. "I give Meiqin to take your files to the room. Go and ask her."
He gave her a look. "Which Meiqin will give me files, Zizi?"
In a careless tone, she said, "She is the one. Isn't she fit for the job? Besides, if they were that important, you wouldn't have left them lying around in the dining area."
He shook his head, turned, and left the room. She gave a loud, sarcastic laugh, tapping her foot. Then the smile faded from her face. With his status, his good looks, his education, and his money, the whole wide world could not bring her the position of a rival except the one who had been touched by a scoundrel and given birth to children...
She let out a laugh that turned into a scowl, stood up with a certain smile, and said, "Abomination." Then she left the room, feeling her heart race.
✴✴✴
Zhan had just fallen asleep when Roulan entered the room. Zhan watched him until he reached where he was.
Roulan said, "Momy, take off my uniform."
Zhan sat up and began taking off his uniform. "Have you eaten?"
Roulan nodded. "Uncle gave me cornflakes."
Zhan looked at him. "Are you okay with that?"
Roulan widened his eyes. "Yes, Momy. He gave me a lot, and he drank tea."
Zhan didn't say anything. He patted Roulan's pockets, felt something inside, and pulled out a chocolate. He looked at Roulan. "Who gave you this?"
Roulan took it quickly. "That aunt gave it to me. She said she would buy me puzzles, but she didn't. She is sick. She's even sleeping in the bed room."
Zhan set down the clothes and didn't say anything. Roulan took his hand. "Momy, will you go and check on her?"
Zhan gave him a strict look. "I will slap you..."
Roulan stepped back immediately and said, "Momy, I'm sorry."
Zhan glared at him and pointed to the bathroom. "Go in." Without refusing, Roulan went quickly.
Zhan stood up to get out the clothes he would wear. He gave Roulan the medicine that Yunxi had bought for him earlier that morning, then told him to go to the living room and do his assignment.
Zhan gathered Roulan's socks and was about to go to the bathroom to wash them when his phone rang. He came back, looked at the phone, and saw that the Attorney was calling. He went to the phone, sat on the edge of the bed, answered the call, and put it to his ear.
Gently, the Attorney said, "I'm sorry you called when I wasn't nearby, Meiqin."
Zhan said, "It's nothing. Did you arrive safely?"
"Safely, I'm fine, dear."
"And how is little Meiqin?"
"She's fine. How is my son?"
Zhan said, "He's doing his assignment."
"Okay, give him my greetings."
Zhan stood up, went out to the sitting room, and handed the phone to Roulan. "Your father wants to speak to you."
Roulan took the phone, looking at him. "Momy, who is my father?"
Zhan shot him a glare. "Come on, answer your call..."
Roulan put it to his ear and greeted. The Attorney, who could hear them, smiled. "How are you, boy?"
Roulan said, "I'm fine, Father."
"Did you go to school today?"
Roulan nodded. "Yes, I went."
"Good. Always aim for good grades, and I will buy you a bicycle."
Roulan widened his eyes. "My Daddy and uncle said they would buy me a bicycle too. So I'm having three now. I'll keep one for Rouxue, give one to Fan, and I..."
Zhan snatched the phone from his hand and went back to the bedroom. He put it to his ear gently. "You need rest, Attorney. You should rest. I hope you ate?"
The Attorney said, "Why did you take the phone from him?"
Zhan said, "He was talking too much."
Yang-Yang said, "You just don't want me to know about his Daddy and uncle."
Zhan widened his eyes. "He means Yibo and Dr. Yunxi, okay?"
The Attorney smiled. "Alright, then."
Zhan bowed his head. "So, did you eat?"
"Yes, I'll eat now."
Zhan said, "Okay, then. Go and eat. Kiss my little one's forehead for me."
The Attorney said, "Okay, will do that. Thanks, love."
Then he hung up. Zhan smiled, put down the phone, picked up Roulan's socks, and went to the bathroom to wash them.
***
The next day, Zhan had no lectures at all. He got Roulan ready early and took him to school himself because he didn't want Yunxi to come and say he would take him. When he returned, he closed his door, went to the bedroom, and lay down. He slept until around eleven o'clock. The hunger he felt made him go to the kitchen to find something to eat.
He turned on the gas, put on water, and got out noodles and an egg when he felt a movement behind the back door. He reached the window, stopped, and then peeked gently.
Standing there, he saw Tieh... Yunxi was behind her, hugging her, his face right next to hers, lifting a small weight with one hand. Zhan gently lowered his gaze, turned, and left the area. He turned off the gas and left the kitchen completely.
He went to the bedroom, locked himself in, and fell onto the bed. He stayed like that for over three hours, and he couldn't get up. Gathering his courage, he finally stood up with his eyes closed, went into the bathroom and came out.
He put on his jacket, took a small bag and his phone, and went out. As he was trying to lock his apartment, Yunxi came out. Zhan didn't look in his direction. He finished locking up, turned to leave, and Yunxi looked at him.
"What's wrong with you, Zhan? Are you sick..."
Zhan said with difficulty, "No, I am okay."
Then he went outside. Yunxi watched him. He stopped a cab outside and got in. He didn't know how it happened, but he told the driver to take him to school. He got out, paid the driver, and went inside. He headed straight to the cafeteria, went in, sat down, and put his head on the table, out of breath.
In no time, Mian-Mian entered the cafeteria with her friends to eat. She saw Zhan and recognized him, even though his head was down.
She reached him and said, "Hi, Zhan. Are you okay?"
Zhan lifted his head with difficulty.
Mian-Mian looked at him, saw how his eyes looked, and said, "You are not well, are you?"
Zhan didn't answer. You could see that he was in pain. Mian-Mian quickly pulled out her phone from her bag and called Yibo, knowing he was within the school area.
When he answered, she said, "Yibo, are you nearby? Please, I just came into the cafeteria and saw Zhan. He looks unwell, and he's not even responding. Can you come now, please..."
Before she finished speaking, Yibo hung up. She pulled a chair and sat next to Zhan, looking at him worriedly.
"Hello, Zhan."
Her friends, who were foreigners, also greeted him. Then Yibo entered the cafeteria and hurried to Zhan's side, looking at him.
"Meilin... what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Zhan saw him double, and eventually, he stopped seeing him completely. He didn't open his eyes again.
:
:
It was nearly evening when Zhan saw herself lying on a hospital bed. He clutched his chest and looked around the room. His eyes fell on Yibo, who was sitting close to him, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. He tried to get up, and that made Yibo open his eyes. He quickly stood up and came close to him, worried.
"Stay still, Meilin. You have an IV in your hand. How are you feeling now?"
Zhan looked at the drip in his hand, still clutching his chest, and said with difficulty, "It's hurting me."
Yibo lowered his voice. "Be patient. It will stop, Meilin. You are still under medication. Please, just lie back down."
Zhan refused to lie down, instead putting his head on the bed. Tears began to stream down his face.
Gently, Yibo said, "Meilin?"
He refused to look up. That made Yibo stop and look at him with pity. Gathering his courage, he heard Zhan say, "What about Roulan..."
Yibo looked at him and said in a low voice, "I went to pick him up in the evening, but I found that your neighbor had already taken him."
Zhan didn't say anything, nor did he look up. Yibo said, "Let me call a nurse... I'm going."
Then he left the room.
Zhan still didn't look up, just kept crying as if a tap had been opened. Yibo returned with a foreign nurse. The nurse examined him and left.
Gently, Yibo said, "Meilin, why are you crying?"
He looked at him, tears continuing to stream, and couldn't say anything.
Yibo became flustered and came very close to him. "Please, Meilin, tell me what's wrong. What happened? What is bothering you? Your blood pressure isn't good. Your condition doesn't need this. Tell me what your problem is, please. Has someone done something to you?"
Zhan wiped his eyes gently but didn't say anything. The ward door opened, and Mian-Mian entered with her mother. Aunt Marry hurried over, worried. "Hello, Zhan. How is your body now?"
Gently, he said, "It's better, Aunty. How are you?"
Aunt Marry said, "I'm fine. Where is Roulan?"
Yibo said, "His neighbor took him from school earlier."
Mian-Mian set down the basket of food she was carrying, looking at him. "May Heaven make it easy for you."
Zhan said in a low voice, "Thank you, Mian-Mian."
Aunt Marry said, "Will he spend the night here, or will they discharge him?"
Yibo said, "Tomorrow morning."
Aunt Marry said, "Okay, then. Mian-Mian will stay with him tonight."
Yibo was silent, not knowing what to say because he didn't want that. Aunt Marry pulled a chair, sat down, and opened the basket of food for Zhan.
Around eight o'clock, she left the hospital with Yibo, although he didn't want to.
Not long after they left, Mian-Mian's phone began to ring. She answered it, saw that Tieh was calling, and widened her eyes slightly before answering. Before she could say anything, she heard Yunxi's voice. She widened her eyes and said, "How are you, Doctor?"
He said, "I'm fine. How are you? May I ask, please, Mian-Mian? Did you meet Zhan at school today?"
Mian-Mian said, "He's here with me at the hospital. He's not well. He collapsed earlier in the cafeteria, but fortunately, he's recovering now."
Yunxi didn't know when he stood up. Tieh, who was lying next to Roulan, just looked at him. He waited until Mian-Mian was silent before gently saying, "Which hospital are you at?"
She told him the name of the hospital. He said, "Okay, I will come now." Then he hung up. He looked at Tieh. "I'm going to check on Zhan at the clinic now. He is sick. I'll be back soon."
Tieh didn't say anything. He headed to the door. Roulan quickly got down from the bed. "Uncle, I will come with you."
Tieh pulled him to her body. "Don't worry, he will come back soon."
In the living room, Yunxi took his car keys, left the house, and headed to the hospital Mian-Mian had told him about. He parked in the hospital courtyard, got out, and called Mian-Mian using Tieh's phone.
Mian-Mian answered the call, and he said, "I'm outside, Mian-Mian." She told him the ward number. He said, "Thanks." Then he hung up and entered the hospital.
He stood at the door for over thirty seconds, unable to open it. Then he turned the handle gently and entered the ward. Zhan was lying down, his eyes closed.
Mian-Mian stood up when she saw him. "Welcome, Doctor."
He said, "Yes, thanks." He went to the bedside and looked at Zhan.
Mian-Mian said, "I think he's gone back to sleep."
Yunxi was silent, not saying anything, looking at Zhan for a long time because he knew he wasn't sleeping. He really wanted Mian-Mian to excuse them, but he didn't know how to approach it.
As if she knew what was in his heart, Mian-Mian stood up, took her phone, and said, "Doctor, let me make a call. I'll be back soon."
He looked at her. "Alright." Then she headed to the door, went out, and closed it. He closed his eyes, opened them, sat on the edge of the bed, took Zhan's hand, brought it to his face, and said gently, "I know you are awake, Zhan. Look at me, please."
💚💙❤🖤