Author
The people who lost their lives in the airplane that crashed in India were inside both the plane and nearby houses... I pray their souls rest in peace. Amen 🤲
Min stood there, staring after Yibo's car as it drove away, not moving a muscle. Even after he turned out of the street, she remained frozen in place. A few seconds later, she struggled to swallow a lump that had caught in her throat. It all felt unreal...like a dream. She blinked a few times and looked around again, but nothing changed. She was still standing at the gate of her family's home. That's when it hit her...Yibo had truly dropped her off at her house.
Mustering her strength, she turned to look at the gate, which was firmly locked. She didn't even realize when she started walking away quickly, almost stumbling as she went, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might recognize her. She covered her face with her scarf and kept walking until she left the neighborhood and reached the roadside.
Sweat dripped down her forehead, her stomach twisted painfully, and it was only then that panic set in. She placed a trembling hand on her head and muttered, "What do I do now?" Her thoughts immediately went to Zully, but then she shook her head....going to Zully's house would mean facing Zully's mother, the same woman who had been at their house the entire day of her marriage. On top of that, she didn't have a single coin on her. She stepped aside, leaned against a shop wall, and quickly dialed Shu's number. The call ended without being answered. She tried again, silently pleading for Shu to pick up, the only person who could help her now.
When Shu finally picked up, her voice sounded sluggish, as if half-asleep. "Should I send the account number?" she asked drowsily.
Hearing that, Min's eyes welled with tears. She broke down into uncontrollable sobs. "Shu, I'm in serious trouble. Please, where are you right now?"
Shu, who had been lying down with swallowed lips, sat up with effort, her body aching all over. Granny Fang Yu had taken her to the clinic earlier, where she'd received an injection and some meds. "What happened?" she asked, alarmed.
Still crying, Min said, "Just tell me where you are. I need to leave here before someone I know sees me. Even if you're at Yantai town, I'll come right now."
Shu's eyes widened. "Wait, what happened? Didn't we just drop you off at Yibo's house yesterday?"
Min broke down again. "Please, just tell me where to find you, Shu."
"I'm not even feeling well," Shu replied weakly. "You can probably hear it in my voice. My whole body aches; I can barely move my arms. Otherwise, I'd say we meet at a hotel. But listen, just get a cab and come over. If I can manage, I'll sneak out and we'll go to Wei's mother house.. the one I use sometimes to change before we go out."
Min nodded quickly, "Okay, I'm on my way." She ended the call, flagged down a taxi, and gave him the address in a rush, her eyes darting nervously.
Once they arrived, Min called Shu again. "I'm at the gate. Please come out with some cash...I don't have anything on me."
"I'm coming," Shu said.
Granny Fang Yu, who had just finished preparing congee for Shu, turned to her in surprise. "Where are you going, Shu?"
Shu struggled to reply, "Just stepping out to stretch a bit, maybe that'll help. I'll stop by Wei's mother place too."
"In your condition?" Granny said, frowning. "You should just rest and eat the congee I made for you."
"Don't worry about it," Shu muttered, already walking out. Granny watched her go in silence.
Shu handed the driver some money, eyeing Min, who was still crying."What on earth did you do to Yibo? Actually, forget it... let's just go inside first."
They entered Wei mother's house together, Min still visibly shaken, not even noticing Shu's limping or the swelling around her mouth.
In the kids' room, Shu sat down, watching Min closely. "Yibo must be crazy. What did you do to make him drop you back at your parents house the day after moving in?"
Min collapsed to the floor, crying harder than before. "I'm ruined, Shu. If my mother finds out about this, she'll kill me. I know it."
"Then tell me what happened. You're just crying and stuttering....did you do something to him?"
Min swallowed hard, thinking. No matter how distressed she was, she knew she couldn't tell Shu the real reason, especially not when everyone knew Shu couldn't keep a secret. Finally, she managed to say, "This morning, your grandaunt and that boy came over, and I told Yibo I didn't want him in my house. That's it, Shu. That's all I said... and Yibo took me back to my parents' place."
She broke down once more, sobbing like her world was crashing around her.
Shu held her jaw in shock. "That guy is pure trouble! Do you know Hai Kuan beat me up last night in their house because of him? I've been trying to figure out how to get back at that lowlife, and now you're telling me you got thrown out of the house because of him too?"
That was when Min finally noticed how much Shu's demeanor had changed... but with everything going on, she didn't dwell on it. She just kept crying. Through sobs, she said, "Shu, please help me. I'm completely lost. My family will destroy me if they find out. He just dropped me at our gate when we were coming back from grabbing food at the eatery. Turns out, it was all part of his plan."
Shu, feeling her chest tighten in frustration, snapped, "Let's go talk to Granny Fang Yu right now. She'll call his mother this instant...."
"No! Please, I'm begging you," Min interrupted, eyes wide with panic. "I don't want anyone else knowing about this....not even her. I came to you because I trust you."
Shu hesitated, then asked, "So what exactly do you want me to do? If we don't go to Granny Fang Yu, then what? What options do I even have here? His mom needs to know what he's doing."
Min shook her head quickly. "No, really...let's just sort this out quietly. We don't need to involve anyone else."
Shu scoffed. "Then it's not getting sorted, period. Haven't you heard? He only listens to his mother. If Aunt Lan Yi doesn't step in, Yibo won't take anyone seriously. You were so stubborn about marrying him even after I warned you, and look...one day in his house, and he's already sent you out. He looks gentle and softer...but trust me, he's not kinder at all, he doesn't take action right away or use violence like Hai Kuan, but he'll plan how to deal with you without anyone seeing it coming"
Min wiped her tears again, though they wouldn't stop. "Shu, please....just don't tell anyone. Let me call Zully. She might have an idea."
Shu crossed her arms and raised a brow. "Fine, but…did anything happen between you two? I mean, anything intimate?"
Min acted like she didn't hear her and focused on dialing Zully's number.
***
Around three in the afternoon, Zhan was tidying up his bedroom. He had been sleeping in Lan Yi's room for the past two nights, but today, he wanted to return to his own. His hands moved, but his thoughts were elsewhere...his mind a chaotic mess. He felt feverish, overwhelmed by the silence in the house.
No one had said a word to him about what had happened. Everyone was acting like everything was normal, like nothing had gone wrong. No one had explained anything to him....not even a joke or comment. It was as if he'd been intentionally left in the dark. That silence was beginning to make him start hating them all.
Zhan wiped the tears from his eyes and walked over to the window, staring out blankly. Who am I, really? he wondered. What's my story?
Why was I abandoned at birth?
What did I do to deserve being left behind before I could even speak?
Fresh tears streamed down his face.
Just then, the door creaked open. He didn't turn right away. He quickly wiped his face and, after a few seconds, slowly turned around to see who had entered.
Hai Kuan leaned against the doorframe, staring at him. "Why were you crying earlier at Yibo's house?"
Zhan hesitated. At first, he said nothing. Then, shaking his head slightly, he replied, "It's nothing. I just… found myself crying."
Hai Kuan gave him a skeptical look. "That's a lie."
Zhan forced a weak smile. "Really, Gege, it's nothing."
Hai Kuan was about to speak when the door opened again. Aunt Marquis stepped in and glanced at him. "Hai Kuan, Aunt Ai's been looking all over for you."
He scowled. "That old woman's been stressing me out lately. What does she want now?"
Aunt Marquis chuckled and turned to Zhan. "And you, mister...I haven't seen you come for food yet. Should I bring it to you?"
Zhan gave her a forced smile. "I'll come and get it soon, Aunt."
"You better," she said before leaving the room. She called out as she walked away, "Hai Kuan, I'll go tell Aunt Ai you said she's bothering you."
Hai Kuan didn't respond. He turned to Zhan again and said, "Go get your food," and headed for the door.
"Gege, can I borrow your phone, please?" Zhan asked quickly.
Hai Kuan paused. "Where's yours?"
"I lost it."
Hai Kuan pulled his phone from his pocket and left it on the edge of the bed before exiting the room.
Zhan sat down, picked up the phone, and started dialing Dr. Kexing's number. Please let him have his phone on, he silently begged.
But the response was immediate: The number you are calling is currently switched off.
Tears instantly filled Zhan's eyes again, heavier than before. What's going on? he wondered.
Is he ignoring me on purpose? Is that why his phone is off?
Zhan curled up at the edge of the bed, warm tears sliding down his face as the weight of everything sank in.
At exactly five o'clock, Zhan walked into Lan Yi's sitting room after receiving her call. She'd been watching him since he arrived. Even she couldn't quite settle her thoughts. In truth, she was forcing herself to hold it all in.
Zhan knelt gently before her and said, "Mama, I'm here."
Lan Yi looked at him and asked, "What will you cook for your father?"
Zhan replied, "Should I make rice and vegetables?"
Lan Yi nodded. "Go ahead, then."
He stood up and headed toward the door. Just as he was about to step out, he nearly bumped into Yibo. Zhan stepped aside without looking at him and said, "Welcome back," before walking out.
Yibo watched him leave before entering and exchanging a glance with Lan Yi, who had been silently observing them.
In just over an hour, Zhan finished cooking... there wasn't much to prepare. He returned to Lan Yi and said, "Mama, I'm done."
Lan Yi responded, "Well done dear." Zhan turned and left.
Yibo stood and said, "Let me step out for a bit."
Lan Yi called after him, "Just head straight to your home, Yibo. Why are you in a rush to leave the girl alone right after bringing her there? At least wait a week or so."
Yibo didn't say a word, simply walked out of the sitting room, grabbed the bag he had left in his room, and headed to Zhan's room.
Zhan was standing by the window, gazing outside when he heard the door open. He turned to see Yibo walking in. Yibo sat on the edge of the bed and said, "Here's your package, Baby."
Zhan looked at him and asked, "What is it?"
Yibo smiled, "Just check it."
Zhan accepted the bag. Without even opening it, he could already tell it was a phone. He glanced at Yibo with a faint, tired smile. "Thank you so much, Gege."
Yibo shook his head. "That smile is fake. You know I can read you like the back of my hand."
Zhan let out an unexpected laugh. "Well, I really am happy, Gege."
"Now that one is real," Yibo said.
Zhan opened the box and saw that the phone was even better than his old one. Quietly, he said, "Thank you so much, really."
Yibo replied, "Anything for my Baby."
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds. Then Yibo added softly, "And... I'm sorry about what happened earlier at my place. You know I won't just let that go…right?"
Zhan quickly cut him off. "No, it's okay. I've already moved past it."
Yibo simply stared at him as Zhan began unboxing the phone. Then Yibo asked, "Will I get to taste the rice you cooked for Baba?"
Zhan nodded. "Sure, but only half. I'll give the other half to Mama. I made a little extra in case you'd want some."
Yibo stood. "Alright, I'll be back soon. Leave it in my room."
"Okay," Zhan replied as Yibo left.
Zhan kept admiring the phone. It looked perfect, and he was clearly happy. He noticed that it even came with a new SIM card. He plugged it in to charge, set the box aside, and went to the bathroom.
Around 7 o'clock, the door to his room opened. Zhan looked up and saw Hai Kuan walk in, placing a bag beside the bed.
"Good evening," Zhan said.
"Evening," Hai Kuan replied.
"People have been trying to reach you all day." Zhan tell him.
With that, he picked up the phone Zhan had borrowed earlier before turning and walking out.
Zhan opened the bag Hai Kuan had left and was surprised to find another phone box. His eyes widened as he turned it over....it was exactly the same model Yibo had given him earlier, just a different color. Yibo's was silver; this one was dark grey.
Zhan set the new phone down on the dresser and headed downstairs.
He plated the rice for Yibo as he'd promised and brought it to his room. Yibo was sitting, watching something on his laptop. As soon as Zhan walked in, Yibo paused the video.
Zhan placed the food in front of him. "Do you want coffee or cinnamon tea?" he asked.
"No… thanks, Baby," Yibo replied.
Zhan was about to leave when Yibo asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. I'll eat later," Zhan said as he turned to leave, only to find Lan Yi entering the room.
"You're still here, Yibo?" she asked.
Yibo smiled. "Mama, are you kicking me out now?"
Lan Yi frowned. "Yes, I am. What kind of behavior is this? Would you be okay if someone treated your sister this way? Brought her there and left her alone the next day?"
Yibo looked at Zhan. "No, I wouldn't. I'll finish eating and head out, Mama."
Lan Yi shook her head. "I don't like this one bit. Don't show up at my house again anytime soon. How can you just leave someone else's child alone like that? Don't you have a conscience?"
Just then, Granny Ai's voice echoed from the hallway. "Oh come on Lan Yi! She's not a child, this new bride of his. Why are you so upset about her staying alone? I got a good look at her yesterday. Honestly, she's no young....if anything, she might be older than Yibo. I've been wondering what he even saw in her that made him want to marry her. You probably didn't look at her the way I did."
Lan Yi didn't respond. She turned and walked out of the room, with Zhan quietly following.
Granny Ai kept talking, eyeing Yibo as he ate. "You act like someone under a spell. Instead of finding a girl your age or someone like Zhan, you go after a woman twice your size. Honestly, her face looks like it's been fixed up. The moment she gives birth once or twice, she'll fall apart. All that flabby, greasy weight? Just wait and see."
She clicked her tongue and muttered, "Let's hope Hai Kuan doesn't end up making such a foolish choice in the dark too. I pray he finds someone simple and well-matched, like Zhan."
Yibo only smiled quietly as he ate his food. Granny Ai turned and left the room.
Zhan took a plate of food to Lan Yi in the sitting room before heading to Hai Kuan's room.
Hai Kuan set his phone down and asked, "What's going on?"
Zhan, standing by the doorway and nervously tugging at his fingers, replied, "Thank you so much for the phone, Gege. I really appreciate it."
Hai Kuan responded, "You're welcome. Anything else?"
Zhan shook his head. "No, just wanted to say thanks."
Hai Kuan smiled. "Thanks accepted, baby." Zhan turned and walked out.
***
Min rushed into the children's bathroom upon hearing Granny Fang Yu's voice calling from the courtyard. Wei's mother stepped out to answer her.
"Welcome, Fang Yu."
"I just hope Shu is here," Granny Fang Yu replied.
Wei's mother nodded. "Yes, she's in Wei's room."
Granny Fang Yu made her way to the room. Shu frowned. "Why are you following me like I'm a child, Granny?"
Granny Fang Yu sighed. "I saw the congee was cold. You know my thermos broke, so I came to call you."
Shu grumbled, "Well, you can go now. I'll handle it myself."
"Alright," Granny Fang Yu said, turning to leave.
Min stepped out of hiding, her eyes wide as if she'd just been caught in a lie.
Shu turned to her. "So you're telling me you're heading to Wuhan tonight? And who were you on the phone with that you had to sneak off to the courtyard? If it was so private, why not go see whoever you were calling? I came outside because of you, and yet you're acting all secretive."
Min pleaded, "Please, Shu, it's not what you think. I was explaining everything I told you earlier. It was just Fanyu, our coursemate."
Shu rolled her eyes and looked away.
Min continued, "If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't be here. Let me send you a transfer. Grab your ATM card so I can withdraw some money and head out."
Without emotion, Shu extended her hand. "Min, give me that gold watch. I'll go sell it myself at the market."
Min swallowed hard. "It's already with the gold vendor. I just need to send him your account number so he can transfer the money. The wedding preparations have delayed things. Please, let's talk about the gold over the phone tomorrow. For now, help me withdraw some cash... I'll transfer thirty thousand now."
Shu shook her head slowly. "No. If it's tomorrow, I'll go myself. I'm tired of this. Either give me the gold or give me the money."
"Alright," Min replied. "Tomorrow I'll send you directions to the shop. It's well known in the market."
Shu stood, limping slightly as they left the room. Min followed her. They said goodbye to Wei's mother and left the house. When they reached the gate, Shu said, "Let's just find a someone. You transfer, and he will give you cash. If I go inside now, Granny Fang Yu might follow me out again if I say I'm leaving. And you said you didn't want her to know anything."
"You're right," Min agreed. "This stays between us."
At the POS agent's stand, Min completed the transfer and handed Shu the cash.
"We'll talk later," Min said. "Once I get to Wuhan, I'll call you."
Shu raised an eyebrow. "And who exactly are you going to see in Wuhan? You don't have any relatives there."
Min replied, "Fanyu is meeting me there tomorrow. For now, I'm staying at another coursemate's place."
Shu shrugged. "Alright. Take care."
"Thanks," Min said, then quickly walked away.
Shu returned home. Granny Fang Yu saw her and said, "Let me serve you some congee."
Shu made a face but sat down as Granny prepared the food.
"You know," Shu began, "Yibo's wife came to the house, and we went to Wei's mother."
Granny Fang Yu looked puzzled. "Yibo's wife? Which Yibo?"
"I swear it's true," Shu said. "He kicked her out. After Zhan went to the house and was rude to her, she talk to Yibo about him and he kicked her out."
"Zhan was rude to her?" Granny Fang Yu asked.
"I'm telling you the truth," Shu insisted. "He didn't even greet Min when he got there. He was all smug and arrogant. Min got upset and said she couldn't tolerate it....how could he walk into her house, not greet her, and just look at her like she was beneath him? So Yibo took her and returned her to her family's house. She's so distressed she didn't even go inside, she just came straight here in a panic."
Granny Fang Yu clapped her hands. "That's unbelievable."
Shu continued, "Isn't it clear now? Zhan has only brought trouble into this family. He's tearing us apart."
Granny Fang Yu nodded slowly. "You might be right."
"But this stays between us," Shu warned. "Don't tell anyone. Look at what Zhan made Hai Kuan do to me...if not for pure luck, I could've lost everything. Aunt Marquis saw it all and didn't step in to defend me. She hasn't even come to check on me. And Aunt Lan Yi hasn't called either. She should've visited too, but no one came. And as for Granny Ai, she's been supporting everything that's happened, just for the sake of Zhan. Now look at the mess....Yibo's new marriage is on the verge of collapse because of him. He's bad luck for our family, I've always said it. I've never liked him, and Aunt Lan Yi always favored him over me. In front of me, Aunt Marquis would call and say, 'Give it to Zhan…'"
Granny Fang Yu said nothing, staying silent as Shu struggled to her feet and went into the bathroom.
✨✨✨
The next morning, Zhan was dressed and ready. He wanted to go to school... not for anyone else, but in hopes that Dr. Kexing might be there.
He stepped out, heading downstairs to make tea for Lan Yi in the kitchen.
No one at home knew he planned to leave. He wanted to serve Lan Yi tea first before telling her about school.
On the stairs, he ran into Granny Fang Yu, who was coming up.
Zhan smiled. "Good morning, Granny Fang Yu."
She didn't even look at him.
He moved aside, shocked. She went straight to Lan Yi's sitting room and opened the door without knocking. Inside were Lan Yi, Granny Ai, and Aunt Marquis, who all looked up in surprise.
Granny Fang Yu stared directly at Lan Yi and said, "Lan Yi."
Lan Yi couldn't respond, her heart pounding. Granny Fang Yu rarely called her by name...only by "Yibo's mother."
"I thought it was with my blessing that you kept this boy Zhan in your care all these years?" Granny Fang Yu began.
"When Qiren refused at first, it was me who convinced him to let you raise that boy from the time he was in swaddling clothes, wasn't it? Well today, I want you to choose....me or Zhan."
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛