Shu walked into the room where Min and Zully were and greeted the aunties warmly, her smile stretching ear to ear. She then hopped onto the bed, sitting beside Min and Zully, laughing as she clasped Zully's hand. Turning to Min, she tilted her head and teased, "Look at our bride! You're absolutely glowing...are you sure Yibo will even recognize you with all this transformation? Hey, what's going on with your phone? It's always off whenever I try to call!"
Min frowned and sighed deeply, lowering her voice so the aunties couldn't hear. "Shu, you're the reason my wedding feels like some miserable, pitiful affair. I've never seen a wedding this disappointing, not even in the most remote village. All my friends are probably laughing behind my back after I bragged so much. And in the end? Not a single proper celebration. My whole wedding! The reception gown I dreamed of wearing went to waste. If not for Zully being with me, I would've fallen into complete depression."
Her eyes filled with tears of frustration. Shu shrugged dismissively and said, "That aside, you still haven't sent me the money for that stuff I asked for. It's been nearly three days, you know."
Min shot her an angry glare and snapped, "Maybe wait until I'm actually out of this house, yeah? I'm telling you how miserable I feel, and you don't even care...even though this whole mess started because of you! I haven't even seen Yibo since the wedding ceremony. And you think he cares that I'm upset?"
Zully sighed and chimed in, "Shu, now's not the time to push her. You should be helping her calm down, not adding more pressure."
Shu rolled her eyes. "Well, I tried to make her give up on Yibo, but no, Min had to go ahead with it. Now she's upset. Honestly, I stopped talking to her about it. Yibo's my cousin, and I know him inside out. She can't claim to know more about his flaws than I do. Anyway, all we can do now is hope for the best. Granny Fang Yu told my uncles that we're heading out around eleven to take her to her new home."
Min rested her chin in her palm, speaking in a low, anxious voice. "Shu, it's not even about all that anymore. I haven't had peace of mind since the day before yesterday...and I never will, not as long as Zhan is involved. I can't stop thinking about his place in all this…they're not blood brothers, Yibo adored him beyond natural, what if...if he fall in love with him?"
Shu lifted a brow, folding her arms. "Since he's back now. He ran away and then came back like nothing happened. If it's just about that boy, relax... he'll probably run off again and disappear for good. You know you can trust me. I did what I had to in order to stop his wedding to Dr. Kexing. There's nothing I wouldn't do. I've hated Zhan since he was a kid. We have no ties. He was just picked up off the streets. Who knows? Maybe his mother dumped him after giving birth and ran off. One look at him and you know he's not one of us. And yet, he's been favored over me in this family? Please. That's all over now. I know exactly who he is, and I will make sure he runaway for good."
Shu climbed off the bed and, spotting a thermos, opened it. "I haven't even eaten since we got here…"
Aunty Feng replied, "Most of the breakfast has already been cleared. You can go check the kitchen."
Shu said, "I'll go make some tea, then." Just as she stepped out of the room, Aunt Marquis was coming in to inform Min's relatives that it was time to escort her to her new home. Shu quickly avoided eye contact and hurried away, going downstairs.
She spotted Hai Kuan sitting at the dining table and immediately turned back upstairs, abandoning the idea of going to the kitchen. Instead, she changed clothes, sprayed herself heavily with perfume, and popped a piece of gum in her mouth. Holding her handbag, she exited the room along with Min, her relatives, and Min herself, who had her veil pulled halfway over her face.
After saying her goodbye to Lan Yi, Min was taken to Granny Fang Yu's room. Shu sat right beside Granny Fang Yu, nearly climbing into her lap. After Granny gave Min a final piece of advice, her relatives led her out. Shu stood, looking at Granny and said, "Just give me the key, okay? I'll head home directly from there...I'm not coming back here."
Granny Fang Yu replied gently, "No, Shu. You should come back. We're all going back together tomorrow, including Ai. I want to check on Lan Yi's condition one more time tonight."
Shu scoffed. "Where's Granny Ai then?"
Granny Fang Yu replied, "Probably next door again, hopping from house to house in the neighborhood. She's always popping into people's homes these days."
Shu muttered, "Well, I'd rather go back to Yantai if she's coming with us. I thought the wedding was over...what's she hanging around for?"
Granny Fang Yu said calmly, "Come on now. The wedding was just yesterday. She'll probably leave the day after tomorrow." Shu rolled her eyes and walked out.
Back in Lan Yi's room, Aunt Marquis glanced at Zhan and said, "Honestly, I won't be staying either. Once they leave with Min, I'm heading back." Lan Yi, who was sitting nearby, responded quietly, "Let him be, Marquis. He said he wasn't going, and I think it's because he doesn't feel at ease. Maybe later, if he wants, he'll go visit the house."
Aunt Marquis nodded. "Alright, then. I'll be back later." She had been insisting Zhan go with them, not wanting him to feel forgotten...everyone else was going to escort the bride, and she didn't want him to feel like an outsider. But Zhan had grown distant, quiet, and uncertain, like a guest in his own home.
Soon, the house emptied as Min was taken to her new home.
***
Zhan's worries were piling up, but the one thing weighing heaviest on his mind was not being able to reach Dr. Kexing. Since early morning, he'd called countless times using Lan Yi's phone, but each time the call went straight to voicemail. Whenever he finished calling, he'd quickly delete the call log so Lan Yi wouldn't see...she had his number saved.
Zhan had taken the situation so personally that his chest started to ache. He lay on his back, eyes closed...not sleeping....when Lan Yi entered the room. She sat gently beside him, stroking his hair.
"Are you trying to nap?" she asked softly.
Zhan opened his eyes and sat up, shaking his head. Lan Yi just watched him quietly.
Then Qiren walked in.
The moment their eyes met, Zhan felt his chest collapse with emotion. He tried his best to hold back the tears gathering in his eyes. Qiren stepped closer to the bed but couldn't meet Zhan's gaze. After a few seconds of heavy silence, he finally found the strength to speak.
"How are you feeling, son?"
Zhan couldn't respond. He only nodded, knowing that if he opened his mouth, he would break down in tears. Lan Yi stepped in gently. "He's trying to rest. Maybe talk to him later once he's had some sleep."
Qiren didn't say a word. After another moment, he turned and quietly left the room.
Lan Yi helped Zhan lie back down. "Do you need anything?" she asked.
Zhan shook his head as silent tears streamed down his cheeks. Lan Yi's eyes welled up too. He reached for her hand.
"Mama, did you take your medicine?"
She nodded, then stood up and left the room, wiping her tears as she went.
By 6 p.m., Zhan was still in Lan Yi's room. The house was quiet...most of the wedding guests had already left. Lan Yi was in the sitting room, seated quietly. Zhan overheard her say:
"You haven't gone home yet?"
He recognized Yibo's voice responding, "I came to check on Baby."
Lan Yi replied gently, "I noticed he hasn't eaten anything. Do you think we should give him an appetite booster?"
"I'll ask him if there's something he wants," Yibo said.
She didn't respond, and Yibo walked to the room.
Zhan didn't look up when he entered. Yibo sat by the bed, watching him, assuming he might be in the middle of silent reflection. When Zhan didn't speak, Yibo softly asked, "How are you?"
Zhan answered with a simple nod.
"Are you done resting?" Yibo asked again. Zhan nodded once more.
"Then let's go...tell me what you want to eat," Yibo said.
Zhan glanced at him briefly and replied, "I already ate."
Yibo didn't respond immediately. He just looked at him. No matter what Zhan had eaten, he never used to refuse when he offered to get him ice cream or pizza, especially when he made late-night fruit runs for Lan Yi. But now he just avoided his gaze, fiddling with his fingers, the silence awkward and thick.
After a moment, Yibo said softly, "So this is how you show the world I'm no longer your brother, Baby? Did you forget that I've been your brother for 22 years? Why are you trying to rewrite that now?"
Tears filled Zhan's eyes. Yibo felt his own heart falter.
He stood, moved closer, and gently tried to lift Zhan's chin, but Zhan pulled away, crying.
Yibo stared at him in shock. With a trembling voice, Zhan whispered, "I'm sorry."
Yibo didn't know how to respond. After a pause, he said quietly, "Come on."
Zhan didn't meet his gaze. Wiping away tears, he followed him out of the room.
As they passed through the sitting room, Lan Yi watched them closely.
"I'm taking him out for something, I'll bring him back soon," Yibo said.
Lan Yi murmured, "You're leaving the girl at home alone, Yibo…"
"She's with her friends. They'll all be heading home soon," he replied.
Lan Yi looked at Zhan and said gently, "Okay. See you soon, Baby."
Yibo led the way, Zhan trailing behind him. To his surprise, Zhan stayed completely silent during the drive...not even a single cough or word. It struck Yibo deeply. Zhan, who used to chatter nonstop in the car, was now mute and distant. It bothered him more than he expected.
He parked outside a small eatery and turned to him. "What do you want with the pizza? Should I get you anything else?"
Without looking at him, Zhan replied, "Anything's fine."
Yibo stared at him for a moment, then got out of the car. Zhan watched quietly as he left.
When Yibo returned, he handed him the food and drove off again. Zhan noticed they weren't heading back the way they came but didn't say anything.
About twenty minutes later, they pulled up outside Yibo's house. He picked up his phone and dialed Min's number. The moment she picked up, he said:
"Tell your friends I'm outside, and I want all of them to be gone."
Min asked in surprise, "I don't get it...where are your friends? Are you saying there won't be any celebration or gathering?"
Yibo was quiet for a moment before replying, "Whose guests are we supposed to invite?"
Furiously, Min snapped, "I'm tired of the way you treat me, Yibo! Did you even marry me out of love?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she burst into crying.
Yibo said calmly, "No… it's not like that, Min. Most of my friends are based in Beijing, and they've all returned for work. Please understand. Just let your friends come out so I can drop them off, and then ask them to send their account details for whatever they're owed."
In a sulky voice, Min muttered, "You'll speak to Zully when they come out."
Yibo nodded. "Alright." Then he ended the call and turned to look at Zhan. If it had been before, with this level of silence, Yibo would've pinch his nose or tried to get his attention. But not with the way Zhan's behaving now. Instead, he quietly asked, "What's on your mind, baby brother?"
Softly, Zhan replied, "I'm just feeling sleepy."
Yibo nodded. "Okay, I'll take you home so you can rest. Have you been taking the meds I got for you since you don't like injections?"
Zhan nodded. "I have."
Just then, Min's four friends came out of the house, including Shu. Yibo's face darkened slightly when he saw her. Zully opened the front passenger door, grinning. "Groom, you smell so good."
They all froze when they saw Zhan sitting in the front seat...especially Shu, who stared in disbelief.
Yibo said, "Get in so I can drop you all off. It's getting late."
Zully faked a smile and moved to the back seat with the rest. Shu widened her eyes. "Did I give you my phone?" she asked her friend.
"No," Anshi replied.
Shu suddenly turned and ran back inside, saying, "Oh no! I forgot to plug it in for charging!"
She returned to Min's room, where Min was standing in front of the mirror, smiling as she tried on nightwear.
"You know who Yibo's in the car with?" Shu asked.
Min spun around. "No."
Shu said bitterly, "That same stray we saw sitting in his front seat. After everything we told you about making him work for your attention after the way he treated you during the wedding, you still just folded and are now picking out nightgowns? Unbelievable."
Min's heart sank at Shu's words. She stared blankly at her, speechless. Shu didn't wait...she turned and left the room, said goodbye to the gatekeeper, and stepped outside. She waited near the gate, but there was no sign of Yibo's car. He had already left... Leaving her behind.
✨✨✨
Around 9:30 the next morning, Zhan was in the kitchen, standing near the stove making tea for Lan Yi, just as she liked it. Though his hands were working, his mind was elsewhere. The constant inability to reach Dr. Kexing had begun to really wear on him. He felt feverish now. Was it possible that Dr. Kexing no longer needed him simply because of who he was?
The thought alone brought tears to his eyes.
Only now did he fully realize how genuine his feelings for Dr. Kexing were.
As he finished pouring the tea into a cup, he heard the kitchen door creak open. He turned quickly, and his heart sank when he saw it was Shu.
Zhan immediately looked away, wiping his eyes and focusing on the tea, his heartbeat picking up. This was Shu's first time returning to the house since Yibo left her behind the night before.
Shu gave a mocking laugh as she strolled in, arms folded. Then she stopped in front of him, tilted her head, and said coldly, "So, the stray thinks he's better than the real family now, huh? Guess it's time someone reminded you...you and I are not the same in this family."
She narrowed her eyes, venom in her tone.
"You're nothing but a foundling, someone tossed away by your so-called mother. No background, no blood ties...just trash left near a doorstep. If you knew your place, you wouldn't have dreamed of chasing someone like Dr. Kexing. He's leagues above you. He wouldn't even notice someone like you exists."
Zhan stood frozen, the tears streaming freely now, as if a tap had been turned on.
Suddenly, Shu let out a piercing scream.
Zhan spun around in shock...Hai Kuan had stormed in, grabbed her, and slammed her to the floor. Then he locked the kitchen door behind him.
Zhan backed away in fear, eyes wide, as Hai Kuan whipped off his belt and began striking Shu with terrifying force. She cried out in pain, writhing and screaming on the ground, "Help me! Granny Fang Yu! Aunt Lan Yi! Someone help me!"
Zhan rushed toward the backyard door, trying to open it to escape, but Hai Kuan yelled, "Touch that door and I'll add you to the count."
Zhan froze by the door, his heart pounding as he watched the beating continue.
Just then, Aunt Marquis came rushing down from upstairs. She had heard the commotion from the sitting room. But seeing what was happening, she calmly closed the kitchen door and returned to her seat, smiling to herself.
Hai Kuan didn't stop until Shu was completely broken... lying there, unable to move. He crouched beside her, his voice low and eyes dark. "Try speaking to Zhan like that again, and you'll see exactly what I'll turn you into."
Then he stepped over her, heading toward the door Zhan had tried to open earlier.
Zhan quickly moved aside, terrified. Hai Kuan opened the door, looked at him, and said quietly, "Let's go."
Without a word, Zhan stepped out. Hai Kuan followed, locking the door behind them.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛