15

Zhan doesn't want to deal with Li, so he told Cheng, and Kuan told  him not to do anything to him. Cheng was upset but listened to his boyfriend.

After Cheng recovered, they got married in a low-key ceremony. Zhan  didn't attend as he was unwell, only his mom and Nana attended. But he sent  his gifts and Cheng understood.  

Kuan completed all of his investigation a year later. He got one guy, Kuan tortured the truth out of him, and Li was the one  who shot Cheng. Kuan couldn't live with that. What if he had killed  him? Taking matters into his own hands, Li's car brake failed as he drove home from work one day. Before they  could rush him to the hospital, he died.

As Zhan's illness  worsened, they rushed him to the hospital. The doctor said that there  was nothing wrong with him after a series of tests, but how would  someone cough out blood? It baffled them, but the doctor said that he  should reduce his alcohol consumption and make healthy lifestyle  choices.

I will eat, Zhan said as he got up from the chair and shut the door, leaving his mom behind.

Mrs. Xiao asks the doctor if he needs to avoid certain foods or follow any specific diet.

No,  he should just eat healthily and stop drinking alcohol for now.  I will  talk to a few specialists and send his results to them.

Okay, doctor thank you, Mrs. Xiao said just before leaving the hospital.

He  was waiting for her in the car when she hopped in and held his hand.  I'll talk to a few specialists and we'll take it from there, okay? Tears  streamed down her throat as she spoke.

Okay, mom, Zhan squeezes her hand.

After  a few months, the doctor recommends a few specialists. He shows up for  all the appointments that Mrs. Xiao schedules for him, not wanting to  disappoint her.

Before he stopped going, he had an appointment  with a woman in her late 20s. Once she saw her patient, she lost all  morale and drooled. In addition to her tan skin, she has curly hair and  beautiful gray eyes. She is tall and curvy.

He was undergoing a  series of tests with a bare chest when she forgot she was working and  started crasing his chest with her long nails, initially he thought it  was just part of the test until she started licking her lips and  unconsciously squeezed her breasts. Zhan jolted and she flinched back to  reality.

Shit, shit, fuck,  I'm sorry, I'm sorry, she mumbled and ran out of the room.

  Zhan wore his clothes and left the hospital 

As soon as his mother found out what had happened,. She was  upset, but forced him to consult with another male specialist, but he  assured her he would be fine.

Mrs. Xiao felt it was time for Zhan to search for  his true love. Every time she sees her son, he looks gloomy and deprived of everything he cherishes.

Baking his favorite  cookies and fresh mango juice, she sits beside him on the couch  and drops the tray in front of his lap.

Zhan, why don't you take a vacation? She smiles at him.

As  soon as I return from Canada, I have an urgent meeting. In this meeting  I will discuss how our company will become one of the richest in  Beijing after I land the contract. As he munches on the cookies in his  hand.

Oh, okay that's great. Have you booked the hotel you are staying in?

Yes, mom, we have.

Hmmm, she just hums and they ate in silence.

***

***

***

Yibo  graduated as a medical doctor. He got a good job in one of the leading  hospitals in Canada. His daughter is 8 years old and attends school not  far from his workplace. Occasionally, he still retained his nanny, as he  didn't want to leave her alone at home while Liam also works as a  computer analyst during the day. They're more like  family now but no boundaries were crossed.

When Liam's girlfriend is less busy, she helps babysit Pearl. Over time, they developed a liking for each other.

•••• Yibo's Pov.

Pearl, where would you like to go for your birthday tomorrow?

Promise you will take me there? She grinned while lying on my lap.

Anything for you sweetheart, just say the word and it's yours.

Do you remember where we celebrated my 6th birthday?

Hmmm, how can I forget, baby doll?

I want to go there, she smiled brightly, just like her father.

That's two hours away from here sweetheart, have you considered your aunt or your cousin? I ask stroking her thick tresses.

Papa please, please she whined.

Okay, I will talk to your aunt Lu and Liam and also take a day off from work, so I will be with you the whole day.

Yaaaaay, she squeaked hugging me. I love you, Papa. She says as she peppers my face with kisses.

I love you more baby doll. Giggling at her kisses.

As soon as I texted Lu and Liam, they agreed quickly, making me feel like the whole thing was planned.

As  my daughter's birthday is tomorrow, I told the hospital supervisor that  I would take the day off. In his usual fashion, he flirts with me and  sometimes gives me chills. He has been  on my neck for two years and he doesn't want to give up. Big sister is  coming tomorrow but mother and Kuan ge with his husband are landing  tonight. I can't wait to catch up with them, I miss them so much. The  last time  mother saw Pearl was when she was 6 years old. When Kuan ge and Cheng ge  wed, they spent their honeymoon here. Therefore, they used the  opportunity  to stay with us for a week out of the two weeks they stayed. I was so  happy  to see them together, they deserve each other.

I haven't told Pearl they're coming, I want it to be a surprise.

It was late at night when mom, Kaun ge, and Cheng ge arrived. Pearl was sleeping. The moment I saw them, I was so excited.

As if I were a lost dog, mom hugged and sniffed me.

Mom,  please stop doing that, I whispered, but she tightened her embrace.  Then she gave me one last long hug and kissed my forehead, saying, "I  miss my adorable puppy."

After showing them to their rooms, I retired to Pearl's room to sleep.

As  soon as I woke up in the morning, I sneaked out of the room trying not  to wake her up. My mom was already working in the kitchen. I knew her  pancakes and bacon were always going to be the most delicious. As I  grabbed a bite of this yummy breakfast, I moaned and closed my eyes.

When Pearl walked in, she couldn't contain her excitement. We ate breakfast and gave her gifts.

2  hours later, we started getting ready to go to the restaurant. I wore  dark blue jeans and a black blueberry shirt. Pearl looked gorgeous in  her pink Cinderella gown. Everyone looked good, to be honest, and Kuan  ge couldn't take his eyes off Cheng ge.

We never talked about Zhan ge, but Pearl knows everything about him. She's got a picture of him on her dress mirror.

We hired a limousine that can accommodate all five of us, and I am looking forward to enjoy myself and not worry about driving.

We  left the house at noon and got there at 3 pm. Upon arrival, my  supervisor, Liam, and his girlfriend had already arrived with gifts. I  can't seem to get that man to stop bothering me.

The man whispered to me as he hugged Pearl, "You look gorgeous.".

Cheng ge didn't stop teasing me about him. And not long after Lu Jie and her husband with their son walked in.

We  ordered Pearl's favorite dish for her and we ordered ours as well. It  took a while for the food to arrive, but the starters never stopped coming.

Oh, no more. The whole group laughed at Pearl, screaming that if we keep eating this, we won't be able to eat the main course.

When the food arrived, she laughed and rubbed her palms together. Oh, finally she mumbled.

An hour and a half later, we all finished eating and it was already 5 p.m.

We  were talking and laughing when suddenly Pearl mumbled to herself and  ran outside the restaurant. I and Liam followed behind her when we saw  her standing and holding her dress up, looking gloomy as she stood.

Taking a deep breath, I crouched down to her! What's the matter? I was so scared.

A sigh escaped her lips as she looked at me pitifully, nothing papa, although I thought I saw someone I recognized.

I just kissed her forehead and carried her inside.

'Oh, poor child,' my mother muttered.

Liam  and his girlfriend took Pearl and Jin to the kid's section to play and  take a few pictures while we just sat there, drank, and talked about  everything.

My supervisor wouldn't stop staring at me. It was  beginning to make me uncomfortable. But I didn't let it affect my  daughter's birthday. We stayed for two more hours before leaving. By  that time, the kids were tired and sleepy. Pearl fell asleep as soon as  we entered the car. I was tipsy, the last time I had alcohol like this  was in Beijing, Zhan ge's graduation. In my nostalgic state, my mouth  slipped accidentally.

Cheng ge, how is Zhan ge? They all looked at me like I had horns growing on my head.

My  mom nudged him with her elbow to keep him quiet. I was sulking when I  heard Kuan ge's voice. He is fine. What happened that made you  remember him today? He asks looking excited and surprised.

Have  always thought about him. I don't just dare to ask how he is doing, I  raise my head to look at him. I heard Pearl mumble "dad" before running  out of the restaurant this afternoon. And I can't seem to take it off my  mind. I held back tears as they threatened to fall from my eyes.

Hmmm,  I thought I was the only one who heard her, Cheng ge said, as he held  my  hands and rubbed them. I did not say anything because we swore not to  mention his name to you. However, now that you've asked about him. I  will tell you everything. Zhan is not married to Meng anymore, and Ji Li  almost killed me. He caused a lot of trouble and blackmailed Meng. They  have a son together. Zhan found out and broke off the marriage. As a  comfort, he turned to alcohol. However, presently he is sick, and when I  spoke to him two days ago, he said he didn't want to see any doctor.

No matter how many times I wipe my eyes, tears continue to flow. What  is the nature of his illness and why did he refuse to go to the  hospital? I couldn't help but ask.

He wants to die because anyone  that does not have a death wish will try and find out what is wrong with  them. However, Zhan doesn't even care, his mom is the one that is  always  forcing him to go to the hospital. Doctors didn't even know what was  wrong with him.

What? I yelled,  waking Pearl. Papa, are you okay? She asks rubbing her eyes.

Yes, baby, I'm fine, go back to sleep. She immediately slept off again.

Mrs.  Xiao calls all the time to speak with Pearl. She even called this  morning but didn't tell me anything about Zhan ge. I feel so sad, my  chest hurts like a bitch. I will ask her to bring him to the hospital,  without telling him he is coming to see me. Omg, I won't forgive myself  if anything happens to him. The ride back home was silent and no one  bothered to say anything. I thought of a million things that could be  wrong with Zhan ge but I shook it off my head. Mrs. Xiao has to bring  him and if he refuses I will go and drag him down here myself.

We  got home around 10 pm. Pearl had her shower and went straight to bed.  Cheng ge tried to comfort me but it just wasn't working. I couldn't control  how I was feeling. I dialed Mrs. Xiao's number and she picked up in one  ring.

Yibo, why are you crying, is everything alright? You never call so late at night.

Why... didn't... you... tell me about Zhan ge's illness mother? I cried uncontrollably.