Dr. Kuo wanted to speak with him, but it wasn't possible, especially when Sen Nan's car was parked nearby, confirming his presence. He knew Sen might even be observing them from his office above. Dr. Kuo himself didn't want to endure Sen's blatant rudeness in public. His patience with Sen was already stretched thin, knowing full well that Sen didn't deserve Zhan in any way. It was pure luck that Sen had managed to be with him, and Dr. Kuo couldn't shake the feeling that, deep down, he believed that maybe...he was fortunate to have him, even if he wouldn't admit it openly.
Stepping outside, Dr. Kuo walked over to open the door for Zhan, but he opened it himself and stepped out, a faint smile on his face as he said, "Thank you, Dr."
Dr. Kuo gave a slight nod, his gaze calm. "Take care," he replied before turning to his car, starting it, and driving away. He entered Wang's building, where Sarah was already waiting. She hadn't gone up yet but was in the reception area, nervous about facing Sen alone. She knew how mercilessly he could humiliate others, and no matter how much patience or restraint one showed, Sen had a way of provoking anger.
Sarah admired Zhan's resilience and strength, managing to endure Sen's behavior without breaking down, that is why she struggled to maintain her own composure.
The staff greeted Zhan politely as he walked past them, exchanging pleasantries. Sarah, walking beside him, whispered, "Chairman Sen arrived early this morning. He's been in the office for hours."
Once they reached his office, he placed his laptop bag on the desk, then turned to Sarah with a serious expression. "From today onward, I don't want to hear anything about Sen while at work. His comings and goings are none of my concern. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Sarah replied, standing straight.
Just as he was about to sit down, the door opened, and someone walked in. Sarah glanced over, saw who it was, and quickly stepped aside. "Good morning, Chairman," she greeted.
Sen didn't acknowledge her, striding over to sit on the sofa in the office. Sarah quietly placed a file on the desk and left.
Even as Sen sat there, Zhan didn't turn around. His attention was on some documents in his hands, but the faint, pleasant scent in the room, combined with the chill from the AC, only irritated Sen further.
He looked at Zhan, his gaze lingering on his calm and graceful face. Slowly standing up, Sen walked closer until he stood right in front of him. "Why is it always Dr. Kuo who drives you to work?" he asked sharply.
Zhan looked up briefly, closed the documents in his hands, and set them aside before sitting back down. Taking his phone from his pocket, he replied evenly, "He was checking on Bei, and he gave me a ride back."
Sen closed his eyes briefly, trying to suppress his growing anger. "Every day, it's him checking on her, or her needing him to check. Or is this just an excuse for him to keep being around you? Am I supposed to just sit by and watch this nonsense?" His voice rose, betraying the frustration he was trying to contain.
This time, Zhan looked at Sen for a full two minutes, trying to gauge his state of mind. His words had stung, suggesting an insult to both him and Bei.
Deciding to respond, he averted his gaze and said firmly, "It's best if you keep your unfounded accusations to me only."
Sen, clearly not satisfied, snapped, "Your connection with that doctor is beyond infuriating! You've made it a habit to sit in his car, haven't you? Well, since you've decided that anyone's car will do, maybe it's time you choose between him or me. I refuse to tolerate this any longer, especially now that we're going to marry!"
Zhan eyes burned with intensity, but he remained calm, refusing to even look up. This silent defiance only further enraged Sen, who launched into a tirade filled with sharp and hurtful words.
When he finally stormed out, Zhan stayed seated, phone in hand. He tried calling Bei but received no answer. Concerned, he called Granny instead, asking about Bei's condition. Granny informed him that her neck pain hadn't improved.
Unable to focus, he finished up a few tasks and left the office early. His thoughts were consumed with Bei, knowing how severe her condition could get.
:-*:-*:-*:-*
Upon arriving at Bei's house, he found her condition had worsened. As always, he stayed by her side, knowing her pain and how best to manage it. Granny, now too old to help much, could only offer her support in small ways. He quietly took over, dedicating his time and care to Bei as he always did.
During their secondary school days, Zhan was accustomed to taking care of Bei. Despite the wealth and privileges Wang's family possessed, they lacked the care and affection that a close relative could provide. Their household staff managed everything, and even Granny relied heavily on them. Whenever Bei needed maternal love and care, she found it with Zhan's mother. This was because Zhan's mother and Bei's late mother had been close friends since childhood, and as a result, Bei grew up feeling as though Zhan's mother were her own.
Zhan's mother adored Bei deeply, which made her feel less of the void left by her own mother's absence compared to Yibo, who had never even known his mother. She had passed away during his birth, leaving him to grow up reserved and distant, having never experienced the noise and warmth of a large family.
Yibo had been sent abroad for high school and continued his education in Hawaii, where he built a life as a distinguished Navy Marshal. His exceptional skills and intellect propelled him to this position at a young age, attracting the interest of many influential families who sought to connect with him through marriage. However, Yibo showed no interest in settling down, much to the concern of Granny and Bei. Despite their worries, he firmly asked them not to pressure him about marriage, so they refrained from bringing it up frequently, respecting his wishes.
Zhan's mother had cared for Yibo after his mother's death, raising him until he turned five. Afterward, he started spending nights at his own home and eventually moved back entirely when his father remarried. Despite this, Zhan's mother remained a maternal figure in his life, showing him the love and warmth he missed. Even though she had grown used to his cold demeanor, he still visited her often, seeking her care. Now, due to the bustling household, he no longer entered as freely but still enjoyed her cooking, which she sent to him regularly. Occasionally, he would join her in Granny's sitting room for brief conversations.
***
Zhan called Dr. Kuo, but he didn't pick up. He assumed he was busy, perhaps in surgery, as he often left his phone in his office during such times. Without wasting time, Zhan prepared warm water and attended to Bei, helping her feel more comfortable and giving her medication. Despite Zhan's efforts to make Bei eat, she could barely manage. In the end, Zhan made warm milk with honey for her, which she managed to drink before falling asleep.
Once Bei was asleep, Zhan took a quick shower and headed to Granny's parlor. He served himself a small portion of spaghetti and salad before joining Granny at the dining table. They chatted about Bei's health, which had already prompted calls from her father, as Granny had informed him. Even Kai Xu, Bei's husband, had been calling since Zhan was at the office, as Bei hadn't been answering anyone's calls.
Just as Zhan finished his meal, his mother arrived with Qi, Dai Jie's daughter. After greeting Granny and settling in, Zhan handed Qi his plate and said, "Take this to the kitchen, please."
Qi, who respected him like her own mother, complied without hesitation. Meanwhile, the women continued their conversation, with Zhan quietly working on his laptop. Moments later, Sen called his phone. He glanced at the screen but ignored it, focusing on his work. He called two more times, but he didn't answer or even look at his phone again.
Later that evening, Bei woke up feeling better, and Zhan accompanied her back to her room. Just then, a video call from Yibo came through on Bei's phone. As Zhan entered the room, he softly asked, "How's your neck feeling?"
Bei gestured to her phone and whispered, "Please answer it for me."
Zhan glanced at the phone, seeing Yibo's name on the screen. He hesitated but eventually picked it up. Returning to Bei's side, he sat down and answered the call. Yibo's handsome face appeared on the screen. He was lounging in his living room in Honolulu, Hawaii, wearing black three-quarter pants and a black sleeveless shirt that accentuated his fair complexion and toned physique. His radiant skin, muscles glowing with health and vitality, was captivating.
Zhan quickly averted his gaze and handed the phone to Bei, standing up to leave. "I need to check on something at home," he said, exiting the room.
Phone in hand, Zhan left Wang's Mansion and walked toward his family's house. Upon entering, he found Uncle Wen standing, with Grandma seated nearby along with his mother. They all turned their eyes toward him, except for his mother, who looked overwhelmed, her red and swollen eyes hinting at emotional distress.
Zhan approached them calmly and greeted, "Good evening, Uncle Wen. Grandma, good evening."
Grandma didn't acknowledge him, clearly upset. Uncle Wen adjusted his stance, cleared his throat, and said, "Listen carefully, Zhan. What I'm about to say is important. I've spoken to your mother repeatedly about this matter, but it seems like you're determined to ignore it, just like you've ignored every suitor that's come your way."
He paused, his voice firm. "I warned you, and I'll say it again: if you've driven Sen away with your attitude, and he's decided to call off this engagement, then I won't tolerate this any longer. Whoever I find next will be your husband, and you won't have the luxury of rejecting him. This nonsense ends now."
Uncle Wen's words carried the weight of finality as he turned and left without another word. His frustration over Zhan's repeated refusals of marriage proposals had reached its peak.
Yi couldn't forget, her heart burning with frustration, sadness, and resentment. Her emotions were further fueled by the sharp disappointment she felt toward Zhan, whom she believed was only worsening the tension between her and his Uncle and Grandma. Grandma, in particular, refused to see anyone else's fault regarding Zhan's failed engagements, always blaming his mother. In Grandma's eyes, it was his mother's duty to guide Zhan and help him make better choices, but instead, they believed his mother was enabling his stubbornness by insisting he wait for someone wealthy.
But that wasn't true. In reality, Yi wanted nothing more than to see her son Zhan married, even if it was just to put an end to the whispers and judgments surrounding him. Yet, fate seemed to have other plans. Despite Zhan being more attractive than anyone else in the family, everyone else had married before him—even his younger siblings and cousins. It was as though his beauty and charm worked against him, leaving him as the only one unwed.
Slowly, Zhan turned and walked toward his room. He opened the door and stepped inside, sitting on the edge of his bed. For the first time, Uncle Wen's criticism about him not being married truly hit him. It wasn't just the words themselves—it was the constant blame being directed at his mother that hurt the most.
He exhaled softly, pressing a hand to his forehead and closing his eyes. It wasn't as though he didn't want to get married. He wasn't deliberately rejecting proposals. But why couldn't they see his perspective? He couldn't just force a man to marry him. Why didn't they understand that? Did men have some kind of unspoken standard he wasn't aware of? Was that why his engagements kept failing?
Zhan knew he had done his best to be warm and approachable with his suitors, even trying to set aside his natural aloofness to make them comfortable. Yet, every single one of them had backed out. One had even gone as far as canceling the wedding in the church, claiming that he could tell Zhan didn't love him. He hadn't loved him, it was true...but he had been willing to marry him, if only to silence the endless accusations of rejecting marriage.
Uncle Wen had taken those broken engagements particularly hard. Each failure deepened his frustration and disappointment. It was why he had now pinned all his hopes on Sen Nan, determined to ensure this engagement didn't fail as well. Even though Uncle Wen could see that Sen's temper would make any marriage difficult, he had chosen to overlook it, focusing solely on the goal of seeing Zhan married.
This desperation had given Sen Nan the freedom to treat Zhan however he liked, knowing the family wouldn't call off the engagement because they were so intent on the marriage taking place.
Dai Jie entered the room with a heavy heart. She, too, felt the sting of the constant insults and blame directed at their mother, but there was little they could do. Uncle Wen was their father's younger brother, and Grandma was the family matriarch. What could they say or do to challenge them? Still, she couldn't understand—what fault lay with Zhan if someone rejected him?
Calmly, Dai Jie sat on the chair by the dressing table, her gaze steady on Zhan. "Zhan," she began softly, "you need to be patient. Try to endure Sen's behavior and go through with this marriage. It will bring an end to all this chaos, and Mama will finally be at peace.
"But if you truly feel you can't marry him, then end the engagement now and give Dr. Kuo a chance. He's far more suitable in terms of character and demeanor.
"If you go through with marrying Sen, I'm afraid you'll both be miserable. His temper is unbearable, and your stubbornness won't help. You'll both struggle."
Zhan looked up at Dai Jie, his pale eyes reflecting the depth of his distress. He managed a faint smile and whispered, "Thank you, Dai Jie."
They sat in silence for several minutes, each lost in their own thoughts, before Zhan rose and left the room. He made his way to his mother's room, where Yi sat quietly, lost in her own worries. She seemed defeated, unable to do anything but endure the accusations and insults hurled her way. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't conjure a man to marry Zhan. All they could do was keep pushing forward, hoping that someday, by God's grace, Zhan's marriage would finally happen.
Zhan sat quietly in front of Yi, who only then raised her gaze briefly before looking away, lost in thought.
Taking a seat closer, Zhan gently held Yi's hands, meeting her eyes with a calm expression. Slowly, he spoke, "Mama, please don't worry or let this weigh on your heart. You're educated, Mama. You know that marriage is all about timing, and when the right time comes, it will happen. If it hasn't yet, it's not meant to. Why let yourself be troubled by what Grandma says? You always pray for me, and I believe that someday, the right person will appear. Maybe he hasn't shown up yet, or maybe it's just not the time. And if, by chance, marriage isn't part of my destiny, even until the end of my life, how will you accept what fate has decided?"
"Mama, all you need to do is pray for me, that whatever happens is for the best — for me and for our family." Yi turned to look at him, her eyes red and teary, because deep down, her son didn't know about the cruelty and humiliation she endured from Uncle Wen and Grandma regarding this issue. She bore it all in silence — the taunts, the disrespect, and the relentless pressure. Their constant badgering had pushed her to the point where she desperately wanted Zhan to marry anyone just to end the torment. The neighborhood gossips, the family's relentless snide remarks, and even the younger women whispering that Zhan's education and office job were why he refused to marry had become too much to bear. She wanted peace, both for herself and for Zhan, she already faced enough criticism to have a divorced daughter.
Yi's gaze softened as she looked at Zhan again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Zhan, I know marriage is about timing, but what about when the right person is already here? Why can't you compromise and go ahead with it, especially since Sen wants to marry you? No one else is holding you back."
Zhan stared at her, feeling the weight of her words as if hearing them for the first time. With a deep breath, he responded, "Mama, Sen's behavior isn't something I can compromise with…"
Yi interrupted him. "How can you judge his behavior if you haven't married him to see for yourself? Or are you planning to sabotage this engagement, too? Do you also think he's not good enough, just like people say?"
Zhan blinked in surprise, his voice laced with a mix of hurt and disbelief. "Mama, if you think I've refused marriage because I have some ideal or specific requirement for a partner, you misunderstand me completely. My education and career have nothing to do with my marital status."
"Then agree to marry Sen," Yi pressed on, her voice firm now. "If it's not about that, Zhan, what else could it be? Sen is well-off, he genuinely loves you, and as your mother, I know what's best for you."
"Mama, please don't let your frustration ruin his life," Dai Jie interjected as she approached, her expression stern but empathetic. Her voice cut through the tension as she stood before Yi, whose anger seemed to waver for a moment.
Zhan remained silent, his reddened eyes fixed on Yi. After a long pause, he exhaled deeply, defeated. "I'll marry Sen if that's what you've decided for me." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the room, heading straight for his own space. Picking up his phone, he walked out of the house, leaving the heavy atmosphere behind.
Grandma, seated in the courtyard and overhearing the commotion, smiled triumphantly. She was certain that Zhan would no longer resist. His spirit seemed broken after what his mother had done. That evening, she made her way to Uncle Wen's room to deliver the news. They would inform Sen and his family to prepare for the wedding within the next two or three weeks. Finally, everyone could move on from this. Zhan, the last unmarried member of their family, would no longer be a burden.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛