On Sunday at exactly eleven o'clock, Beiting arrived at the house with her youngest daughter, Suyue. As usual, they first stopped by Yibo's section of the house. It wasn't until after two o'clock that they made their way to Nainai's sitting room.
Nainai was seated, just finishing preparing a bowl of salad filled with various ingredients for Yibo. She glanced at them briefly, then covered the bowl and set it aside. Suyue sighed, making a face as she settled in front of the TV. Beiting, smiling, sat next to Nainai and greeted her, "Hello, my AYi."
Without looking at her, Nainai responded, "Yes, yes. Close the door behind you before flies follow you in."
Beiting got up to shut the door, still smiling, before sitting back down. "How are you, AYi? I hope we found you well?"
"I'm fine," Nainai replied. "I heard you arrived early this morning. But you didn't bother coming here until now."
Beiting chuckled. "We were just freshening up, Mama. How are the wedding preparations coming along?"
"Oh, they're moving along, though no one bothers to consult me. I have no idea what's happening anymore," Nainai grumbled. "All I know is that A-Ji will invite all our old friends, Quentin wiil set up a giant tent in the courtyard, and we'll sit there for the whole event."
Beiting smiled as Nainai turned her sharp gaze toward Suyue. "And what about this one? No suitors yet? She's just sitting around, waiting. I haven't heard a single word about marriage, Beiting. She's old enough for marriage, yet she just follows you around like a shadow."
Suyue frowned and greeted Nainai politely, who responded, "So? No boyfriends?"
Suyue said nothing and looked away, while Beiting just smiled, observing their interaction.
Nainai huffed, shifting in her seat. "Well, it's none of my business."
Beiting cleared her throat. "Where's the groom? The other one.... he was the one who picked us up from the airport earlier."
"Seth?" Nainai scoffed. "Oh, he's no longer coming to my part. He barely comes around anymore. The only time I see him is when we bump into each other outside. As for Yibo, he's in the bathroom with that skincare woman. Who knows what she's doing to him? Maybe trying to change his skin entirely. I just hope she doesn't burn my grandson's face off in the process. That woman is excessive. She keeps leaving all sorts of creams and bottles lying around my sitting room as if she's lost her mind. I'm about ready to pack up all her junk and dump it in her suitcase."
Beiting laughed heartily. "What about Zhan, AYi?"
Nainai gave her a look. "Zhan? He doesn't visit anymore. I haven't seen him in over a month. I have no idea what I did to make him stop coming."
Beiting pulled out her phone from her bag. "Well, he has no choice but to come now. I spoke to him on the phone just yesterday before I traveled." She dialed Zhan's number, but the call rang out without an answer.
Nainai sighed. "Well, well. Maybe someone stole his phone. I've given up trying to call him."
Just then, Yibo emerged from her room. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Suyue, and he quickly approached, wrapping her in a warm hug.
"Wow, bro!" Suyue exclaimed, pulling back to look at him. "Do you see how much you're glowing? You look amazing!"
Yibo smiled, then turned to Beiting and knelt to greet her respectfully. She pulled him into a hug, beaming. "My handsome nephew. You look wonderful. How are the preparations coming along?"
Yibo lowered his gaze modestly. "Everything is fine, Aunty."
Nainai interjected, "Oh, Yibo has always been handsome. I was just helping enhance his looks. Unlike that unfortunate girl Xinyi in this house. Honestly, I don't know where Yichen found her…"
Beiting laughed, glancing at Nainai, who simply shrugged.
Then she turned back to Yibo. "Alright, go and get ready."
Yibo nodded, smiling, and left for her room. Suyue watched him go, still amazed at how radiant he looked.
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Later, around four o'clock, Yibo and Suyue were sitting in Nainai's bedroom. Suyue eyed him carefully before asking, "Are you saying there won't be any events, Yibo?"
Yibo spread his hands. "I have no idea. You should ask Meiling. He brought an invitation card earlier... apparently, there will be a dinner."
"What about the dress code?" Suyue pressed. "Did he say what you're supposed to wear?"
"Nope. He didn't tell me anything."
Suyue frowned. "Wait… what? You're not involved in your own wedding preparations?"
Yibo let out a small sigh and shrugged. "We don't even talk on the phone."
Surprised, Suyue turned to him. "Why not?"
Yibo remained silent for a moment, then quietly said, "He doesn't call me unless I call him first. And he doesn't visit either."
Suyue's eyes widened. "What?!"
Yibo forced a small smile. "Should I go get us something to eat?"
Suyue said, "Please, let's talk first. Forget about food for now. Do you really think you haven't done anything to upset him, Yibo?"
Yibo shook his head slowly. "I haven't done anything to him. He just changed all of a sudden, and I don't know why..." He fell silent, his eyes welling with tears.
Suyue watched him intently, feeling a sudden heaviness in her chest. In a soft voice, she asked, "Did you ask him if you did something wrong? Maybe you offended him without realizing it."
Yibo frowned. "That doesn't justify his behavior. Or is he acting this way because there are only a few days left before our wedding?" His voice broke, and he started crying softly.
Suyue, now deeply concerned, pulled him into a hug. "Please, don't cry. We need to figure out why he's acting this way. Stay strong, okay?"
Yibo didn't respond. After a moment, he stood up slowly and said, "I'll go get us something to eat," before leaving the room.
🔹🔸▫️▪️
Sen Wen opened his eyes at the sound of someone entering his bedroom—a space that was practically off-limits to everyone except his mother. Sitting up, he looked at the visitor.
Mochen crossed her arms. "When are you going to deliver the packages you left in the sitting room? Time is passing, Sen Wen. Today is Tuesday. Or do they have another arrangement?"
He rubbed his forehead. "Mom, I'll have Mian Mian take them later."
She looked at him, surprised. "Mian Mian? Since when do we involve them in our affairs here?"
Sen Wen lay back down. "She's his friend. She knows their house. I don't think I'm going out today."
Mochen sighed. "Tell me what's wrong with you lately, Sen Wen. What's your problem?"
He sat up again and exhaled. "Mom, to be honest, I don't think I want this wedding anymore. Am I even ready for marriage? Isn't this too soon? Sure, I love him, but I just don't want to get married right now."
She stared at him for a long moment before saying, "You're being an idiot."
Without another word, he got up and locked himself in the bathroom. Mochen stood in his room for over five minutes, stunned, before finally leaving.
That evening, Sen Wen sat in his father's sitting room, his head bowed. Since arriving, he hadn't lifted his gaze once. Mochen sat nearby, watching him closely.
Mr. Wen Yo Lee stood before him, his expression hard as he finished his long tirade. After a pause, he sat down, his sharp eyes fixed on his son. "If you think I'll allow my own son to tarnish my reputation in my homeland, you are very mistaken. I did not raise a child like that. Now, get out of my sight. The wedding is happening as planned—no one forced you into this, and no one asked you to bring it up only to back out now."
Slowly, Sen Wen rose and walked out of the room. Mochen watched him go.
Mr. Wen leaned back in his chair. "The wedding is set for Saturday. Nothing is changing. No one will ruin my image."
Sen Wen went straight to his stepmother's quarters. He found Hare sitting in her room, occupied with something. She set it aside when she saw him enter.
"The groom finally shows up. How are the wedding preparations?" she asked with a teasing smile.
He sat down beside her and rubbed his temples.
Her smile faded. "What's wrong, Sen Wen?"
He lifted his red-rimmed eyes to hers. "Please, Aunty, talk to Dad. Convince him to postpone the wedding. I swear, I am not ready to be a family man. Maybe someday, but not now."
Hare's eyes widened. She stared at him before saying, "Are you serious, Sen Wen? Do you even hear yourself? The wedding is only a few days away, and you want to postpone it? Do you realize what you're asking? You think your father will support this? You know he won't. Did Yibo do something to you?"
He shook his head slowly and said, "He didn't do anything to me. I just don't feel like getting married right now. I'm not saying I want to call it off, just that I want to postpone it..."
Hare stared at him in shock before shaking her head. "Please, don't embarrass us in front of everyone, Sen Wen. This isn't like you at all. What's going on with you? Or are your reckless friends the ones influencing you?"
He had no idea how to respond, so he simply stood up and left the room while she watched him, stunned.
Mochen had carefully packed three expensive outfits for Yibo... one for dinner and two for events at home. She went straight to Sen Wen's room, handed him the bag, and said, "Take this to your brother in the garden and tell him I said he needs to deliver them immediately." With that, she left.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-
Later that night, Sen Wen parked outside Yibo's house, turned off the engine, and got out, grabbing the bags from the back seat. He stood there for over five minutes, refusing to call Yibo. Eventually, he just walked inside, as if counting each step. He went straight to Nainai's section of the house and knocked on the sitting room door.
Nainai answered, letting him in.
Beiting was sitting in the room, eating and chatting with the beautician. She immediately set her food aside upon seeing him. Nainai stood up, laid out a small carpet for him, and greeted him warmly. He lowered his gaze with a faint smile, placed the bags down, and sat carefully, greeting everyone.
Beiting responded, "Welcome, Sen Wen."
"How was your trip, Aunty?" he asked.
"Very well, thank you. How are the wedding preparations going?"
"Everything is fine," he answered.
Nainai looked at him and said, "Yibo just left a little while ago. He went with Suyue to visit Zong. Do you want me to call him?"
"No, it's fine. I just came to drop off these clothes for him," Sen Wen replied.
Nainai nodded. "Alright then, I'll keep them for him. But are you eating properly, Sen Wen? You're looking thinner, almost like the groom himself."
He smiled faintly and lowered his head. "I am eating, Nainai."
With concern, she said, "Please, both of you should stay calm and take care of yourselves. You need to look good for the wedding."
He didn't say anything.
Just then, Zhan walked in, wearing casual clothes and holding his car keys.
Beiting had been watching him since he entered. He smiled and ran a hand through his hair as he stepped further inside. He shook Sen Wen's hand first before sitting down beside Beiting.
"How was your trip, Aunty?" he asked.
She studied him closely and said, "Did you fall sick, Zhan? No one told me."
He shrugged. "I'm fine now. I was just unwell for a few days. Did you come with Suyue?"
Nainai, who had been observing him carefully, said, "Well, here we are....me, Zhan, Beiting, the beautician, and Sen Wen. Now, Zhan, I want you to be honest and tell everyone in this room what I did to you, right here and now. Because I have no idea what I did wrong. If, after all these years of raising you, this is how you repay me, then you might as well let me know what I did. Beiting, it's been almost six months since I last saw Zhan. He doesn't call, doesn't visit, doesn't answer when I reach out. I want to know what I did wrong, or I'll leave it to fate!"
Zhan didn't even look at her. He just kept twirling his keys in his hands. The beautician chuckled quietly, while Beiting remained silent, glancing between them as Nainai's face grew more serious.
Sen Wen, meanwhile, was focused on his phone, scrolling through it.
Nainai's voice trembled slightly. "Or is it because I once said his fiancée is a witch? Is that why he's upset with me? If not, what did I do? How can someone just forget me like this? Even strangers wouldn't treat me this way, let alone you. Look at you....you're so thin, like a drenched rooster, yet you claim she isn't a witch? I don't care anymore."
Zhan looked at Beiting and asked, "Didn't you come with Zhantian?"
Beiting let out a sigh and replied, "He will arrive with their father in two days. He will attend the wedding as well."
Nainai frowned and said, "So Zhan isn't important enough for them to attend his engagement, but they're coming for Yibo's wedding?"
Beiting smiled and said, "AYi, don't forget that Yibo is Gege's only son. If it weren't for that, I might not have come either. After all, I already attended Zhan's engagement. That's also why Suyue's father is coming to Yibo's wedding."
Nainai clicked her tongue in disapproval. "You should all fear the consequences of your actions. Why should Zhan's engagement be any less important than Yibo's? Their fathers are relatives. There is no difference between them."
Beiting only chuckled, not responding further. Meanwhile, Sen Wen was focused on his phone.
Just then, Suyue entered the sitting room. She greeted Sen Wen with a bright smile.
He returned her greeting with a polite nod and asked, "How was your journey, Suyue?"
"Everything went well, Doctor. How are the wedding preparations?"
"Everything is going smoothly."
Her eyes widened as she noticed Zhan. "Zhan ge!"
At that moment, Yibo entered, carrying a bowl of fruit salad that Yuting had given him for Beiting. As soon as he saw Zhan sitting there, he froze, staring at him without blinking.
Zhan lifted his head and met Yibo's gaze. Without realizing it, Yibo set the bowl down and rushed toward him. He sat close, his wide eyes fixed on Zhan. "Gege…"
Zhan ran a hand through his hair as if he wouldn't say anything, then lightly pinched Yibo's nose and said, "Little brother."
That made Yibo laugh. Seeing him smile, Zhan chuckled too.
Unable to contain himself, Yibo threw himself onto Zhan's lap and hugged him tightly. "I missed you, Gege!"
Sen Wen simply watched the scene unfold, while Beiting gave Yibo a pointed look. However, Yibo seemed oblivious.
Nainai, on the other hand, folded her arms, searching for words before blurting out in exasperation, "You are truly hopeless! Look at you... grown as you are, throwing yourself at another man and calling him Gege! You're someone's husband now! If your husband didn't understand your relationship with Zhan, what do you think he would assume? You can't just jump onto someone the moment you walk in and calling him Gege!"
Yibo quickly let go of Zhan and turned around, only to lock eyes with Sen Wen. His heart pounded, and he lowered his gaze, unable to meet Sen Wen's stare. Beiting remained silent, though her face burned with embarrassment.
Nainai sighed and said, "Now, who exactly is this 'Gege'? Goodness, you're not a child anymore! He's about to get married, and so are you. It's time to let things go and let your children continue the family bond. I've never seen anything like this before…"
Sen Wen gave a small smile, then stood up and said, "Grandmother, I should be going now."
Nainai frowned. "But you haven't even had a drink of water."
"I just came from home, Grandmother," he replied.
"Alright then. May you be blessed, and don't forget to eat properly," she said.
"I will," he assured her before lowering his gaze respectfully toward Beiting. "Aunty, I'll be leaving now. Please get some rest."
Beiting nodded. "Send my regards to your family, Sen Wen. Thank you for coming."
As he made his way to the door, Nainai turned to Yibo and said, "Shouldn't you get up and walk your husband-to-be out?"
But Yibo refused to move.
The moment Sen Wen left, Beiting turned to Yibo with an exasperated sigh. "Are you just going to sit there, foolish boy? You threw yourself at someone right in front of him, all because you can't control yourself!"
Nainai, now annoyed, snapped back, "Oh, stop blaming him for nothing! Who else would he hug if not Zhan? They've been this way since childhood. Even Sen Wen knows that... don't act like he doesn't! Yibo has no one else in this world like Zhan. Even if you had given him another older brother, he'd still only see Zhan.
"Do you have any idea how long it's been since we last saw Zhan? And now you expect Yibo to act indifferent? He asks me about him all the time, always wondering, 'Where is his Gege?' I pretend to scold him, but the truth is, every night, I dream about Zhan too.
"And now, instead of letting the boy express his happiness, you start lecturing him the moment he arrives!"
The specialist chuckled quietly at Nainai's rant.
Meanwhile, Yibo slowly stood up and followed Sen Wen outside.
Zhan watched him leave, feeling a familiar ache settle in his chest.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛