Before Prince Yibo even arrived at the hospital, he had made sure to buy everything he knew Su Han loved. When he finally reached her room, it was empty except for Su Han and Mama Muyu, who was trying her best to coax the little girl into eating something. But Su Han refused, sulking with her face set in a pout, all because Jianghu hadn't visited the hospital that day.
The reason was simple: it was Zhan's day off, so Jianghu hadn't come.
Just then, the door creaked open, and that familiar soft, gentle voice filled the room as Yibo entered, his eyes immediately seeking out Su Han.
One look at her was enough to see the pure joy lighting up her face at the sight of her father. If not for the drip in her hand and Mama Muyu's gentle hold on her, she would have leapt off the bed straight into his arms. Seeing this, Yibo quickened his steps, gathering her into a warm embrace. His heart ached for her, but at the same time, he felt relieved to see the signs of recovery....the care she was receiving was helping, and the illness seemed to be loosening its grip.
Once they'd had their fill of the reunion, Yibo laid out all the treats he'd brought on the bed, urging her to pick what she wanted. Mama Muyu, now seated quietly in the corner of the room, greeted him respectfully. He returned the greeting warmly and began asking her about Su Han's care.
Her answers reassured him, and he felt more at ease with both the hospital and the doctor overseeing Su Han's treatment. Mama Muyu smiled gently and added, "She's upset today because the doctor didn't come. It's his day off, and she didn't get to see Jianghu, her friend. That's why she refused to eat, Your Highness."
Yibo shook his head fondly, glancing at Su Han. She looked down sulking. He took the food from Mama Muyu's hands, fixed his gaze on Su Han, and said,
"Come on now… be good and eat something."
Without argument, she set everything else aside and focused on the meal. Yibo fed her himself, gently and patiently.
***
As for Zhan, that day had begun like any other day off. He usually stayed home on such days, knowing there was no work, and he wasn't one for going out unnecessarily. Today was no different. He was keeping busy with the children and household tasks.
But soon, a call came from his friend Jiu, urging him to come....his mother wasn't feeling well. Zhan knew that if he didn't visit her on his day off, he likely wouldn't get the chance again anytime soon. He rarely went out when he wasn't working, and with the bond he shared with Jiu, it didn't feel right to ignore the call.
After finishing his chores and helping Aunt Anu as he always did during his free moments, he headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Then he stood before the mirror, getting dressed with care. The outfit suited him perfectly, highlighting his natural charm and the effortless style that had long become second nature to him.
Even as he dressed, he noticed that Jianghu was restless. It was clear what was on his mind....he wanted to come along. But Zhan simply set his face in a firm expression, making it clear there would be no discussion. Once ready, he bid farewell to Aunt Anu and left.
He found that Jiu's mother was indeed feeling a bit better. They spent some time chatting, and after less than an hour, he said goodbye to Jiu, promising to stop by again in two days when he was off work.
On the drive home, Zhan's thoughts unexpectedly turned to Su Han. A sudden longing to see her, even if only briefly, stirred within him. Without thinking further, he changed course and headed for the hospital, silently hoping Dr. Adrian wouldn't be there when he arrived.
Just as Zhan was parking his car, his phone rang. It was Nanjue's number. Zhan didn't answer right away; he focused on straightening the car first. Only when he was done did he pick up, just as the call was about to end, and greeted him politely.
Nanjue closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sound of Zhan's voice sink deep into his heart, then opened them again to return the greeting.
"I showed up without notice… and it looks like I was unlucky not to find you," Nanjue said.
Surprised that Nanjue had found his address, Zhan asked,
"You mean my house?"
Nanjue nodded.
"Yes. Surprised?"
Zhan tilted his head slightly, a smile tugging at his lips. What kind of investigator was Nanjue anyway? Could he be a lawyer or a journalist? Before he could say anything, Nanjue continued,
"Forgive me. I meant to surprise you, but it didn't work out… There's something important I'd like to discuss with you. If possible, I'd appreciate it if you could give me another chance to meet. Please don't postpone it too long....I'm a traveler, a guest, and my time in your country is running out."
Zhan couldn't help but smile at how Nanjue sounded like someone pleading for help. If it wasn't tomorrow or the day after, he wouldn't have enough time.
"Our country is part of Asia, after all," Zhan replied with a chuckle. "It's no problem....you can meet me the day after tomorrow at the house."
"Thank you, truly," Nanjue said. After exchanging farewells, Zhan ended the call and stepped out of his car. Straightening himself, he headed toward the hospital building, his walk steady and confident, the stride of a man sure of himself.
He didn't bother going to his office....this wasn't about work today. He made his way directly to the VIP room where Su Han's room was located.
Zhan felt a strange tightness in his chest as he placed his hand on the door, about to open it. His heartbeat quickened unexpectedly, surprising him.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself and slowly released a sigh. With his eyes briefly closed, he gently pushed the door open, as quietly as someone sneaking into a house, hoping not to be noticed.
The door opened just enough for him to catch a glimpse of the room. His gaze moved carefully around. He saw Mama Muyu seated off to one side, her eyes fixed on the wall, probably focused on the plasma TV mounted there. Su Han sat at the edge of the bed, legs dangling, chewing on something without much interest, clearly not enjoying the food.
Then Zhan's eyes settled on Prince Yibo. That handsome face, calm and unreadable, watching his daughter intently with those striking eyes that seemed to hold secrets and authority all at once. His expression wasn't hard, but it wasn't relaxed either. Anyone who knew him would recognize this as his version of a softened look.
Zhan stared at him for five seconds, feeling his heart begin to pound again. If his eyes weren't deceiving him, this was indeed the famous business tycoon whose photos and stories filled every corner of the world. But today, Zhan saw something in real life that he'd never noticed before in all those pictures.
The resemblance.....the undeniable likeness of Zhan's two children stamped clearly across this business tycoon face. It was as if he'd been copied and pasted onto them. The shock made Zhan's heart race harder than before. Instinctively, he let go of the door and stepped back without thinking, retreating down the hall toward his office. He opened the door and slipped inside, overwhelmed by emotions he couldn't quite define.
"What's wrong with you, Zhan? What's gotten into you like this? Just seeing someone and you lose your composure? Maybe there's no resemblance at all between him and your twins....maybe it's just your eyes playing tricks on you. What connection could they possibly have to look alike?"
He scolded himself harshly, frustrated with his own reaction. Zhan stood, walked over to the small mirror in his office, adjusted his suit, and grabbed his bag. After locking his office, he headed for the room again for a second visit.
This time, as he gently pushed the door open, he saw only Mama Muyu and Su Han sitting inside. Zhan greeted them softly, his voice calm and warm. Su Han looked at him with excitement, her face lighting up with a smile that stretched to her ears.
"Hi Mommy! Where's Jianghu Gege?"
Zhan managed a smile, holding himself together despite the scent that filled the room....a familiar fragrance that seemed to grip his mind and heart completely. It was a scent that had stayed lodged in his memory for eight long years, one he associated with only one person. And in all that time, he had never smelled it on anyone else… until today, at this very moment, in this hospital room where the only people present were Su Han and Mama Muyu. Shaking off the thoughts, Zhan focused on Su Han, determined to push away the confusion in his mind.
He checked on her carefully, making sure everything was alright. Just as he finished, his phone rang....the screen showed "Aunt Anu." Without delay, he answered. They spoke briefly for about two minutes before he hung up and turned to Mama Muyu.
"I'll be going now, Mama Muyu. I'll see you the day after tomorrow....I've just been called back home; i have a visitor."
"No problem, doctor. You're doing a great job," she replied kindly.
Zhan stepped up to Su Han's bedside. The moment she realized Jianghu wasn't with him, and heard him saying goodbye, she pouted. Zhan smiled, gently stroking her head. "I wish I could stay longer, baby Su Han. But I'll come back early the day after tomorrow, okay?"
"Will Jianghu Gege come?" Su Han asked.
Zhan hesitated briefly. He didn't like to make promises he couldn't keep, but the child clearly missed Jianghu terribly. He would try his best to bring them later today or tomorrow. If not, definitely the day after tomorrow.
"If I can, you'll see them. If not, please be patient, my sweet girl. The day after tomorrow, I'll bring Jianghu to you."
Su Han nodded quietly, and that tugged at Zhan's heart. She kept her eyes on him, watching intently. Then she softly said, "Tell them I said hi."
He nodded, smiling at her cleverness....it always surprised him how mature she seemed for her age.
"They'll hear," he said, bending down to kiss her forehead.
Just then, Prince Yibo came out of the bathroom, holding six of Su Han's handkerchiefs he had insisted on washing himself despite Mama Muyu offering to do it.
Yibo caught sight of Zhan just as he finished kissing Su Han and turned away. He managed to see only the side of Zhan's face....not enough to recognize him fully. Still, an odd tightness filled Yibo's chest, and he didn't know why. His eyes followed Zhan's retreating figure as if drawn to him, unable to look away until Zhan had calmly left the room.
And even then, Yibo felt a strange familiarity, as if he'd shared a space or a moment in life with that man before. As if he knew something about him.
He hadn't even realized he was watching Zhan, nor that he continued to stare at the doorway long after Zhan had gone, until Mama Muyu cleared her throat gently. The heaviness of the atmosphere weighed on her as she noticed how intently Yibo was gazing after him. Su Han kept speaking to Yibo, but he hadn't heard a word she said.
Finally, Yibo turned to where Mama Muyu sat. She kept her eyes lowered and said softly, "That's Su Han's doctor....the one she was upset about earlier. She misses him and his kids because they haven't visited."
Yibo simply nodded, then walked slowly to Su Han's bedside and sat down, feeling drained and strangely weak. Even as he held Su Han's small hand and looked at her, the image of Zhan lingered in his mind, refusing to fade. He gently asked Su Han what she had been saying to him.
***
The next day, Zhan wasn't able to take Jianghu along as he'd hoped. So, he made up his mind to bring Jianghu to the hospital the following day.
Since waking up before dawn, Zhan had been sitting quietly. Sleep, which would normally come to him, completely abandoned his eyes. On other days, he might have managed to doze off for thirty minutes or even an hour before getting ready, depending on how early he needed to head out. But today, not even a little rest came to him....only a heavy weariness and a strange weakness weighed him down. Every so often, unease and a racing heart overtook him.
At seven o'clock, Zhan gave Jianghu a bath, then took his own. When they were done, he dressed both himself and Jianghu in matching traditional outfits....made from identical fabric, everything about them the same. They were gifts from Aunt Anu on a trip she'd made to China, thoughtful souvenirs for both of them.
When they came into the sitting room, Aunt Anu was tending to her youngest child, who had woken up hungry. She looked up at them and smiled.
"Wow, what's the occasion today? My favorite didn't even ask, and you're taking him to the hospital!"
Zhan managed a small smile, though he still didn't feel quite himself.
"He had a patient friend. She've been asking so much about Jianghu that day, I thought I'd take him along and finally stop all the questions."
"Well, that's how it should be... but you both look fantastic. I think these outfits suit you two even better than I expected. Like Gege and his Didi."
Zhan smiled again, this time more genuinely, his teeth showing.
"Oh Momma… I've always said they were nice...you never noticed. And this pattern really suits the design."
"They did a great job sewing them, better than what I usually see. I think when we go back, I'll buy some more."
"I like them too. I might order a few extras, just for casual outings."
They continued chatting while having breakfast. There wasn't much to the meal, as Zhan rarely ate breakfast at home on workdays. If the children had no school runs, he preferred to leave early on his own.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He reached into his sleek little hand bag and pulled it out, checking the caller ID....it was from the hospital. A voice on the other end, filled with real urgency, said:
"Dr. Zhan… please get here quickly. There's a serious situation."
The words alarmed him immediately. He knew if they were calling him like this, it meant trouble. Without finishing his drink, he set down his cup and rushed Jianghu along so they could leave right away.
Zhan drove faster than he usually would, his mind on edge. As he got closer to the hospital, his anxiety grew, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. He'd faced plenty of emergencies before, but today his nerves felt especially raw, his heart pounding harder than usual.
When he parked the car, he got out without hesitation, locked it, and hurried toward the hospital entrance, his heart thudding with heavy beats. He barely registered Jianghu chattering beside him. Finally, fed up, he glanced down with a firm look and said, "Please be quiet, Jianghu. Don't make me send you back home right now."
Jianghu immediately went quiet. He knew when his Baba spoke like that, it was serious.
From a distance, Zhan could see the room where Su Han was admitted. Unlike before, there were a few people standing at the door....something that hadn't been the case earlier. As he took a few more steps, he thought he could hear faint sobbing, though he couldn't tell whose voice it was or who might be crying. The sound gripped his heart with dread.
Without thinking, he quickened his pace, driven by an unsettling feeling that had started to creep into his chest. Without realizing it, he let go of Jianghu's hand. All that mattered now was reaching that room and seeing for himself what was happening.
NB
Seriously, I don't want to kill that innocent soul. 😭😭😭
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛