Yibo slowly lowered his gaze, took the piece of meat out of his mouth, and placed it back on the plate. Zhan, watching him closely, frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Yibo pouted but said nothing. Zhan's eyes briefly met Sen Wen's, who had been watching them still, Sen Wen got up and approached with a smile. He placed his hand gently on the table and greeted them, "Good evening."
Only then did Zhan glance at him for the second time and respond, "Same to you."
Yibo, however, couldn't bring himself to look at Sen Wen; his heart was pounding. Sen Wen pulled out the third chair at the table, sat down, and smiled as he asked, "How are you?"
Still avoiding his gaze, Yibo replied in a soft voice, "I'm fine."
Sen Wen nodded. "Glad to hear that. Are you enjoying your time with your brother?"
Zhan kept eating his meal, not acknowledging the conversation. Yibo remained silent, fidgeting with the ring on his finger.
Sen Wen turned his attention to Zhan and asked, "How's your family?"
"All good," Zhan replied simply, still focused on his chicken. Then, glancing up briefly, he added, "Would you like to join us?"
Sen Wen glanced at the meat and shook his head with a chuckle. "Oh no, I just finished eating." Rising from his seat, he continued, "Alright, I'll be on my way. I was just about to leave when I saw you two."
"Alright then," Zhan said.
Sen Wen then looked at Yibo and said, "See you later."
For a moment, their eyes met. Yibo quickly lowered his gaze, hesitating before softly responding, "See you later."
With that, Sen Wen turned and followed his friend, who was already heading toward the exit.
Zhan looked at Yibo, who had now crossed his arms and was sulking. Without saying a word, he continued eating.
A few minutes later, Yibo muttered, "Gege, Mu Qin will start looking for me soon."
Zhan glanced at him. "So, who's going to eat the chicken I bought for you?"
"I don't want it," Yibo pouted.
Zhan ignored him, called a waitress, and asked her to pack the remaining chicken as a takeaway. After settling the bill, he picked up the bag, grabbed his drink, and without looking at Yibo, said, "Get up, I'll take you home."
Yibo stood up reluctantly, his expression tense as he followed Zhan toward the exit. When he opened the front passenger door to get in, he unexpectedly locked eyes with Sen Wen, who was standing by a grill, chatting with the vendor.
Sen Wen quickly looked away and continued his conversation. Yibo hesitated for a moment before quietly getting into the car.
Zhan took the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove off. Neither of them spoke the entire way home.
When they finally arrived, Zhan parked outside. As Yibo reached for the door handle to get out, Zhan suddenly grabbed his wrist gently.
As if he had been waiting for this moment, Yibo burst into tears, his shoulders trembling as he looked at Zhan.
Startled, Zhan panicked. "Why are you crying, Yibo? What's wrong? What happened?"
Through choked sobs, Yibo stammered, "Sen Wen saw us just now... and..." His voice cracked as he cried even harder.
Zhan felt a sharp pang in his chest, trying his best to stay composed. Closing his eyes for a moment, he pulled Yibo closer and whispered, "And what?"
Still sobbing, Yibo said, "He might think something else... when in reality, you're just my brother. Everyone knows that."
Zhan remained silent, listening to him.
After a while, Yibo lifted his head slightly and looked at Zhan, his tear-streaked face full of emotion.
Forcing a small smile, Zhan said, "You and I both know we're more than just brothers, so why are you doing this to me?" His voice was low, almost pained. "But fine, if that's the game you want to play, then I'll play along. If you want me to be nothing more than your Gege, then so be it. I'll let him think that too, just like you want. Since, after all, Yuting and Quentin gave birth to me, and then they gave birth to you."
Yibo pouted, still looking at him. "So, you're not my brother?"
Zhan exhaled. "If Yuting gave birth to me, then yes I am."
Yibo frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said."
"Well, who doesn't know you're my brother?" Yibo huffed.
Zhan ran a hand through his hair. "Who doesn't know I'm your cousin?"
Yibo widened his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhan replied, "I mean, stop calling me your big brother so people will stop assuming we're from the same parents. We're only cousins, Yibo, not even blood-related. Anything could happen... No, it already did. We got married, and you even forced yourself on me days ago."
Yibo huffed and opened the car door to step out, but Zhan grabbed his wrist, looking straight at him. "Wait."
Yibo stopped but didn't break eye contact. Zhan opened the bag of grilled meat, took a piece, and brought it to his mouth. Yibo pouted and looked away. In a softer tone, Zhan said, "Please..."
Yibo huffed. "But didn't you just say you're not my brother?"
Zhan chuckled. "Yes, I did. But that doesn't mean we not one. Everyone knows there's a possibility of marriage between us, so stop confusing people."
Yibo stared at him, unblinking. Slowly, Zhan said, "Come on, open your mouth."
Yibo lowered his gaze and refused to open his mouth. Zhan took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Yibo..."
Yibo glanced at him again. Zhan pulled him a little closer, looking into his eyes. "Open your mouth."
After a moment, Yibo hesitantly parted his lips. Zhan placed the piece of meat inside. Yibo took a small bite and looked away, while Zhan smiled and ate the rest himself. "Good boy."
Yibo opened the car door again, ready to leave, but Zhan quickly held him back. "Ever since I moved out, I've been missing you a lot. Unlike before, when I was home, and we were always fighting. From now on, every night when you bring food to Nainai, wait for me. Let's chat a little before I leave, okay?"
Yibo smiled. "But we used to do that before you changed and started yelling and hitting me."
Zhan gently pressed his fingertip against Yibo's lips and whispered, "I've stopped that now, dear. I just want to have our little talks again. I'll even bring you something nice."
Yibo's eyes widened. "Really, Zhan-ge? I'll be waiting for you, then."
Zhan closed the bag of grilled meat, handed it to him along with a drink, and said, "Good boy."
Yibo accepted it with a grin. "Thanks. See you tomorrow."
"Sleep tight," Zhan replied before Yibo stepping out of the car with a soft smile. He walked inside, glancing back at Yibo one last time.
When Yibo entered the sitting room, he found Yuting eating dinner. She looked up at him and asked, "Why did you take so long? And what's in that bag?"
Yibo sat down and replied, "Gege bought it for me."
"Zhan?" Yuting raised an eyebrow. "Why would he buy you something?"
"It's nothing," Yibo shrugged. "He just bought it because he knows I like it."
Yuting scoffed and continued eating. Yibo opened the bag. "Should I serve you some, Mu Qin?"
As if waiting for the offer, Yuting quickly said, "No, go ahead and enjoy it yourself."
Yibo chuckled, stood up, and went to the kitchen. He grabbed a plate, served himself, and ate while sipping his drink. When he was full, he stored the rest in the fridge and turned to Yuting. "Mu Qin, good night."
"Good night," she replied without looking up.
Yibo headed to his bedroom, took a shower, and changed into his sleepwear. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he picked up his phone from the bedside table. Sen Wen usually called him every night, but today, he hadn't seen a missed call from him.
He dialed Sen Wen's number, but it rang without an answer. Sighing, Yibo put the phone down, lay on his bed, and closed his eyes.
▪️▫️🔹🔸
It was nearly five in the evening the next day. Yuting sat in the sitting room, slicing pumpkin leaves when the door opened, and Zhan walked in. He placed the bags of tea supplies he had brought on the table and greeted Yuting, who responded warmly.
"Shushu asked me to deliver this package," Zhan said.
"Oh, so Seth isn't home?" Yuting asked.
Zhan nodded. "Yes, I believe so."
"Alright, may you be blessed," she said.
"Thanks," he replied and turned to leave. But before stepping out, he hesitated and asked without turning around, "Has Yibo gone to school today?"
"No, he didn't go," Yuting replied.
Zhan turned back sharply. "Why not?"
Without pausing her slicing, Yuting answered, "He woke up feeling unwell."
"Really? Did a doctor check on him?" Zhan asked with concern.
Shaking her head, Yuting said, "The doctor isn't in town today; he's in Suzhou, but he'll be back tomorrow. We did take him to the hospital, though."
"Is he sleeping now?"
"I believe so."
Zhan fell silent for a moment before finally saying, "I hope he recovers soon."
Yuting glanced at him and then said, "You should go check on him and see if he's awake."
That was all Zhan needed to hear. He immediately turned and walked toward Yibo's room. Yuting watched him out of the corner of her eye as he entered without shutting the door.
Inside, Yibo was lying in bed, completely covered by the duvet. Zhan sat on the edge of the bed and gently pulled the duvet away, revealing Yibo's face. Even before touching him, he could feel the heat radiating from his body. Yibo's reddened eyes opened, looking up at him, and he seemed on the verge of tears as he struggled to sit up.
"Gege, my body feels so hot," Yibo murmured. "But Mu Qin wouldn't let me turn on the fan or the AC."
He suddenly started crying. Zhan glanced toward the door before pulling Yibo closer. In a soft voice, he asked, "Then why were you covering yourself?"
"I'm feeling cold," Yibo whispered, shivering.
"And yet, you wanted to turn on the fan?" Zhan asked skeptically.
Yibo didn't respond; he just continued crying quietly.
"Did they give you an injection at the hospital?" Zhan asked.
Yibo nodded. "My legs still ache, and my back too."
"Did they apply any medicine?"
Yibo nodded again, wiping his tears.
Zhan gently pulled him away and reached for the medicine on the side table. He took out a tube and opened it, rolling down Yibo's blanket completely. Starting from Yibo's knees, he massaged the ointment down to his toes. Yibo flinched and held onto Zhan's hand.
"Gege, it stings," he whimpered.
Yibo turned his head and saw Yuting standing at the doorway. Zhan followed his gaze and met her eyes, but she simply turned and walked away.
Yibo sniffled. "Just leave it; I think it's starting to get better now."
Zhan capped the tube and put it back. As he was about to say something, Yibo's phone vibrated. Yibo immediately grabbed it and checked the screen....it was Sen Wen calling.
Yibo answered, bringing the phone to his ear. "Hello," he said softly.
Sen Wen greeted him, and Yibo returned the greeting.
"How are you feeling?" Sen Wen asked.
"I'm fine," Yibo replied in a weak voice. "Why haven't you been picking up my calls?"
"I've been catching up on missed calls," Sen Wen answered.
Yibo fell silent. Zhan, on the other hand, simply watched him, noting how Yibo had become more open about his interactions....without hesitation or fear. That only made Zhan worry more. Something was clearly wrong.
Sen Wen then asked, "How is Auntie?"
"She's fine," Yibo answered softly.
"Good. We'll talk later," Sen Wen said before ending the call.
Yibo placed the phone down, and Zhan, still watching him, asked, "Have you been calling him often?"
Yibo didn't realize when the tears started again. He buried his face in the pillow and cried, "He might be angry with me, Gege. It's unusual for him not to call since yesterday!"
Zhan said nothing, just observing.
"I called him twice, and he didn't pick up. I've told him so many times that you're my brother, but maybe he still doesn't believe me." Yibo wiped his tears and pleaded, "Please, Gege, tell him yourself. Maybe he'll believe you. We're just close....nothing more. You're my brother."
Zhan kept watching him and then slowly asked, "Just close and nothing more? But that's not entirely true, Yibo....not the way he thinks. Are you really okay? Have you forgotten everything that happened? Or are you losing your memories?"
Yibo's head shot up, eyes wide. "But we know the truth, Gege. No one else needs to know. And honestly, I've decided.... I don't care about the trio anymore. I just want to marry Sen Wen. Please, Gege, make him understand. I'm sick of this. He's never ignored me like this before."
Zhan let out a small smile, gently running a hand through his hair. "So just because he didn't answer your call, you're suddenly falling ill and in unbearable pain?"
Yibo ignored him completely, turning away and lying down with his back to Zhan. Zhan watched him for a moment without blinking before finally standing up and heading toward the door, still smiling. Yibo shot him a glare as he left, shutting the door behind him.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
From that day on, Sen Wen stopped calling Yibo entirely, only answering if Yibo called first. This change unsettled Yibo deeply. He felt restless, unable to enjoy anything. Even eating became difficult. He had never imagined that something could trouble him this much, but now, he constantly seemed lost in thought, moving through his days in a daze.
One Thursday evening, Yibo was in the kitchen washing dishes while Yuting was there as well, transferring the cooked rice into a warmer. The sudden sound of shattering glass made Yuting turn around sharply, just in time to see Yibo stepping back, wide-eyed. It was the second time he had broken something while standing at the sink.
Yuting's expression hardened as she snapped, "Are you stupid, Yibo? What the hell are you thinking about that you've broken another cup?"
Tears welled in Yibo's eyes as he looked at her.
"Get out before I slap some sense into you!" she yelled.
Without another word, Yibo turned and rushed out of the kitchen. Yuting finished packing up the food and returned to washing the remaining dishes. When she was done, she headed to Yibo's room.
She found him lying on his bed, face buried in his pillow. He didn't even notice her entering. Sitting down beside him, she called his name softly, "Yibo..."
Startled, Yibo immediately sat up, his face full of tears, as he hadn't heard her come in. He quickly wiped his eyes and looked down. Yuting reached for his hand and, in a gentler tone, asked, "Tell me what's wrong, please, Yibo. Do you have someone else you can talk to besides me? This is the third time I'm asking. Don't make me call Quentin right now... you know he'll come straight home."
At that, Yibo broke down in tears and threw himself into her arms. Yuting's heart clenched at the sight of her son so vulnerable. She cupped his face, her expression full of concern. "Talk to me, sweetheart."
With a shaky voice, Yibo finally whispered, "It's Sen Wen..."
Yuting's heart dropped. Right from the first moment, she had feared her only child would experience heartbreak one day. Keeping her composure, she asked, "What about him?"
Tears streamed down Yibo's face as he choked out, "He doesn't call me anymore. Even when I call, he won't answer until the next day."
Yuting kept her face neutral, though her mind was racing. "Did something happen between you two?"
Yibo stayed silent, his tears falling freely. He didn't even know how to explain it to her. He couldn't possibly say it was because Sen Wen saw him at a restaurant with Zhan ge, letting Zhan-ge feed him a bite of meat. That sounded ridiculous, even to him. Struggling to find the words, he finally muttered, "Maybe it's because he always sees me with Gege..."
Yuting sighed. "And why must you always be with your Gege? What do want exactly? He's getting married soon....why are you clinging to him? Let him be."
Yibo whimpered, "But I stopped doing that, I swear..."
Yuting remained quiet for a moment, then looked him straight in the eyes. "You want me to call him and talk to him for you?"
Yibo nodded desperately, grasping her hand. "Please, Mu Qin... just once..."
Yuting gave him an unimpressed look. "We are not that kind of people, Yibo. I am not some desperate woman begging for attention. Let me tell you something.... no one should love to the point of foolishness. Just because he's ignoring you doesn't mean you should lose your mind over it. Are you really going to let this mess with your head and make yourself sick? You'll only end up hurting yourself.... and me."
Yibo buried his face in Yuting's lap, sobbing as he said, "Mu Qin, I just want to marry him." Yuting watched him for a moment before lifting his head gently and saying in a soft voice, "Calm yourself, Yibo. But I don't want you to worry too much. Have you apologized to him?"
Yibo shook his head. Yuting sighed, "Then call him or send him a message and apologize. And from now on, don't concern yourself with your Gege, do you hear me?"
Yibo nodded slowly. Yuting added, "And I didn't say you should tell Nainai about this."
Softly, Yibo replied, "Alright, Mu Qin."
Yuting stood up and said, "Come on, let's go get some food." Without hesitation, Yibo stood and followed her out of the room.
At six o'clock, Yibo took food to Nainai. He didn't want to go at night and risk running into Zhan. As he approached, he noticed a pair of shoes at the door and pouted thinking it was Zhan. Entering without looking at the person sitting in the sitting room, he placed the food down.
Nainai beamed, "You brought it just in time. Bring me a plate so I can serve him. I know he won't want anything but rice."
Yibo stole a glance at the person in the room, and his heart pounded. Sen Wen sat there, dressed casually, his glasses resting on his nose. Their eyes met briefly before Sen Wen looked away.
Yibo stood frozen in place until Nainai said, "Are you going to bring the plate, or should I get it myself?"
Sen Wen chuckled and said, "Nainai, I'm really full. My friends and I just ate at a restaurant."
Nainai frowned, "So, your home-cooked meals aren't good enough for you anymore? You have to eat out?"
Sen Wen laughed, "No, no, it's just that my friends wanted to eat there."
Nainai tsked, "I heard they serve horse meat in some places. I don't want you eating something that'll poison you one day. If you don't like your home-cooked meals, just come here, and I'll make sure you have proper food. The world is full of deceitful people these days!"
Sen Wen just laughed while Yibo quietly slipped out of the sitting room.
He paused in the hallway where he often stood with Zhan. He didn't have to wait long before he heard footsteps approaching. When Sen Wen drew closer, their eyes met again. Sen Wen slowed his pace but didn't stop.
In a hushed voice, Yibo said, "Please, wait."
Sen Wen stopped and crossed his arms. "Alright, I'm waiting."
Tears welled up in Yibo's eyes as he lowered his head and said in a trembling voice, "Please forgive me."
Sen Wen raised an eyebrow. "Forgive you for what?"
Struggling, Yibo replied, "For the reason you're angry with me."
Sen Wen forced a smile and said, "I'm not angry, Yibo."
"You are," Yibo insisted, wiping his tears. "Please forgive me. I swear it won't happen again."
Sen Wen sighed. "Yibo, just because Mr. Xiao is your Gege, as you always say, doesn't mean you share the same blood. I have every right to be upset. He's not your blood brother. If I were the one who took you out to eat, would you have agreed? Let alone let me feed you a piece of meat?"
Yibo wiped his tears again and whispered, "Please, forgive me. It won't happen again. The only reason he took me out that day and bought me chicken was that I promised to help him confess to a girl he liked but was too shy to approach. I told him I'd speak to her for him, so he bought me the chicken as a thank-you."
Sen Wen chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "It's fine, Yibo. I've already let it go."
"Really?" Yibo asked hesitantly.
Sen Wen nodded. "I let it go a while ago. Walk with me to the gate."
They walked in silence until they reached the gate. Sen Wen glanced at Yibo and said, "Good night."
Yibo nodded, and Sen Wen walked away while he turned back inside.
🔹▫️▪️🔸
From then on, Yibo made an effort to avoid Zhan. If Zhan entered the sitting room, Yibo would immediately leave for his room or the kitchen. Whenever he took food to Nainai, he would rush back quickly.
Two weeks remained until their exams, and at the same time, it was only two weeks until the grooms price would be paid, with the engagement ceremony set for the following day.
On Saturday, Yibo stepped into the sitting room, holding a small bag. Despite the simplicity of his attire, he looked strikingly handsome.
Yuting, who was seated in the room, watched him as he knelt beside her. "Mu Qin, we're leaving now," he said.
Yuting was silent for a moment before saying, "Don't stay too long, Yibo. Not even ten minutes, please. It's not proper. Go for what you need to do and come straight back."
Yibo smiled faintly. "Alright, Mu Qin. I promise."
"And if you're returning by taxi, make sure to take one. Do you hear me?" Yuting added.
"Yes," Yibo replied, then left the sitting room and headed to Meiling's place.
Quietly, he opened the door and stepped inside. Yichen was seated in the sitting room, as was Zhan, leaning against a chair with his eyes closed. Ning Li was there too, chewing gum.
Yichen sighed. "I've never seen someone so stubborn about being sick. Let his father return; maybe he'll listen to him. Doctors are so stubborn... they'll treat others but refuse treatment for themselves."
Ning Li pouted. "Exactly, Aunty! He even told me to stop fussing over him. How can I not fuss? My love isn't feeling well. He hasn't eaten in days...just coffee and tea. It's been over a week now."
Yichen frowned. "That's not good. Let his father come home and deal with him."
Yibo lowered his head and walked toward the stairs. "Good evening," he greeted softly.
No one responded as he disappeared upstairs. Yichen exchanged glances with Ning Li, who smirked and kept chewing her gum.
Zhan, upon hearing Yibo's voice, opened his eyes.
It wasn't long before Yibo returned downstairs with Meiling. Yichen watched them as Meiling said, "We'll be back soon, Shengjie."
"Alright," Yichen replied.
Yibo didn't turn back as he stepped outside, and Meiling followed.
Zhan stood up and said, "I'm going to see Nainai for a moment."
Ning Li also stood. "I'll come with you, Aunty. We'll go to the market afterward."
Zhan shot her a cold look. "You didn't think of visiting Nainai until I mentioned it?"
Ning Li rolled her eyes and adjusted her dress before heading out.
Meanwhile, Yibo and Meiling stopped by the roadside and hailed a rickshaw.
Yibo glanced at Meiling. "I don't know why, but I've had a bad feeling since earlier."
Meiling patted his shoulder. "Relax. Just say a prayer."
"I have," Yibo said, then turned his attention to the rickshaw driver.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛